Following a series of violent thefts linked to an online marketplace, Richmond RCMP are warning the public to be aware of the dangers of buying and selling online.

A series of six suspected robberies occurred near a local school in the 9500 block of Williams Road in Richmond, Mounties said in a news release Monday. Many schools are located on Williams Road, with this particular stretch including James Whiteside Primary School, Hugh McRoberts Secondary School and Child’s World Nursery School.

Police said several vendors reported being threatened with a weapon, while another reported being physically assaulted by two suspects.

All incidents involved a person trying to sell an item on an online marketplace and meeting their potential buyers near the school. The buyers would ask to look at the item being sold before taking it and running away with it, or they would refuse to pay and call on an accomplice to threaten the seller and take it from them, police said.

All but one of the reported thefts occurred after dark, between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., while four of the six thefts occurred over a three-week period between October 14 and November 1. said the police.

Due to the proximity of the incidents and the similarities in the suspects’ descriptions, police believe the thefts may be related.

“The frequency and increasing nature of these thefts is concerning,” said Cpl. Adriana O’Malley, Media Relations Officer with the Richmond RCMP Detachment.

“Our goal is to prevent new incidents by alerting the public. If you are selling items, please make an appointment in a public location, such as our secure exchange area, during the day or early evening.

The Richmond RCMP Detachment Safe Exchange Zone, an area covered by a video surveillance system, is located at the main detachment on Road No. 5.

Richmond RCMP advise anyone arranging an appointment to buy or sell goods to conduct transactions during daylight hours and in well-lit public areas. Bring a companion whenever possible and limit personal information – avoid sharing details of your address, workplace or personal habits – with the buyer or seller. If something seems suspicious or dangerous, trust your instincts and leave the area immediately.

Anyone with information on the six thefts is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 and quote file number 2024-34703. Anonymous tips can be left through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.solvecrime.ca.