Pair allegedly assaulted, robbed at UBC after trying to return computer purchased with child porn on it
Suspects accused of forcing 1 person into car, while 2nd manages to flee and phone RCMP
Four men have been arrested after a UBC student and his friend were allegedly attacked and robbed Wednesday in a buy-and-sell deal gone wrong.
RCMP said it started when the student bought a secondhand computer. After he and a friend returned home, the buyer found what he believed to be child pornography on the computer.
A police statement released Friday said the pair confronted the seller about the apparent pornography and agreed to meet in a parkade at UBC to exchange the computer.
When the buyer and his friend got there after midnight, they were allegedly jumped by four men.
Police said the two victims were assaulted and robbed and one of them was forced into one of the suspect's cars. The other managed to escape and phone RCMP.
RCMP said police responded and took four men into custody.
The incident has prompted a warning from RCMP, reminding anyone, including students, buying anything from a stranger to meet in a safe place.
"Members of the public or students are always welcome to use the front area of any detachments including the University Detachment as a safer trading and meeting spot," Staff Sgt. Chuck Lan wrote in a statement.
The officer added that anyone who becomes aware of a potential crime — like child pornography — should phone police.