Chilliwack:  RCMP credit 911 dispatching, a rapid police response and an observant officer for the arrest of two robbery suspects. James Albert Phillips, 44, of Chilliwack faces Criminal Code charges for Attempted Robbery, Use of an Imitation Firearm while committing a Robbery, Theft of Motor Vehicle and Breach of Recognizance of Bail.  Phillips remains in custody pending a court date in mid-November.

Katherine Janet Wilson, 38, of Chilliwack faces Criminal Code charges of Robbery, Accessory to the Offence of Robbery and Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Knowing it was taken without the Owner’s Consent.  Wilson was released from custody pending a court appearance in early November.

The charges stem from a report made to police on October 18, 2015 at approximately 9:15 a.m. of a robbery in the 46000 block of Yale Road.  The victim told police he was approached outside of a business by a male and female where the male allegedly indicated he had a gun and demanded money from the victim.  The victim walked away from the suspects without surrendering his money.

While the first incident was being reported to police, a 911 call was received by the RCMP Operations Communication Center (OCC) of a second robbery and carjacking at the same address.  The caller reported that she had just been confronted by a male who allegedly pointed a gun at her demanding money and the keys to her vehicle.  After allegedly stealing cash and the second victim’s SUV, the suspect, accompanied by a female passenger, drove away.

General Duty officers were immediately dispatched to the complaint by the OCC operator who provided first responders with descriptions of the stolen vehicle and the two suspects.  Within minutes a patrolling officer had located the stolen vehicle abandoned behind an out building in the 800 block of Wellington Avenue.

The two suspects were quickly found and taken into custody by the General Duty officer supported by an officer of the First Nations Policing and the Integrated Police Dog Section.

Evidence gathered by investigators from the stolen SUV further linked Phillips and Wilson to the robberies.

“Fortunately no one was injured in either of the robberies.   Instantaneous dispatching and police response coupled with the observation of an alert officer were crucial to the location and arrest of the suspects,” said Cpl. Mike Rail.

As always police remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).