A 28-year-old Wallaceburg man is facing 10 charges after three victims were robbed after they were lured over the internet.
Joshua Knight was arrested in London on Tuesday and charged with three counts of armed robbery, two counts of forcible confinement, two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering death threats and disguise with intent.
The charges are related to three separate incidents, more than two months apart. London police said the first incident took place on February 1, 2019, and the second was on April 24, 2019.
"Two of the victims attended the same residence in the area of Hamilton Road and Hume Street to purchase items listed for sale on Kijiji," London police said in a media release. "Once each arrived, they were locked in the residence and robbed of money and belongings at knifepoint."
In the latest robbery on April 26, 2019, another victim was supposed to meet a woman he had interacted with on Plenty of Fish – an online dating site – but was instead allegedly robbed of his belongings at knifepoint.
“There are a lot of safe places to meet someone whether you are planning on buying or selling an item, or going on a date for the first time. We would encourage you to choose a public place like a coffee shop or restaurant; locations that include the presence of others," stated police. "Would-be robbers will be unwilling to meet in these public locations and their lack of interest should alert you to their unsavoury motives.”
Knight was scheduled to appear in a London courtroom Thursday.