An employee of a restaurant in the 300 block of Burnside Road West is recovering following a violent robbery. The attack occurred while he was having a break outside the back of the business, at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26.
The 19 year old male employee was allegedly approached by two men and asked for a cigarette. When he denied having further cigarettes, his cellphone was taken. He asked for the return of his phone and was immediately attacked by one of the two males. One of the suspects is alleged to have violently choked and threatened to kill him, while holding a screwdriver to his neck.
The victim agreed to obtain his cigarettes from inside the restaurant, while one of the men accompanied him. After obtaining the cigarettes the suspects fled the scene.
The victim and other employees from the business were able to provide detailed descriptions of the assailants. A 20 year old Saanich man was located several blocks away and arrested. 20 year old Gene John GOLISH was remanded in custody and remains there with an anticipated court date of July 8, 2015. Recommended charges for GOLISH include Robbery with Violence, Overcoming Resistance by Attempting To Choke Another Person, Uttering Threats, and Failing to Comply with a Probation Order.
The second suspect, a 17 year old youth from the Mill Bay area, was identified by investigators as a person of interest. Contact was made with his family and he turned himself in to police the following day. The minor, who cannot be named, was released from police custody with a recommended charge of Robbery with Violence.
Both men have had previous contacts with Police.
