(Prince Albert Police Service/Facebook)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Scary Situation

P.A. teen alleges group with machetes robbed and forced him to hand over clothes

Jun 15, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A 17-year-old in Prince Albert says he’s scared to go out in public after being robbed and forced to hand over his clothes to a group of armed men.

The teen, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, told paNOW he, his girlfriend, and another friend were using the BMO ATM at the South Hill Mall Wednesday evening when multiple people started yelling at them.

He said when they got within a few feet, they pulled out multiple machetes, pocketknives, and pepper spray.

“The one guy looked at me and was like ‘I like the hat, give me that hat’ so he took my hat and then he was like ‘I like those pants too’ so he took my pants then he took my sweater too,” the teen said. “So I was just in my underwear and my shoes.”

After the teen was finished handing over his clothes, he claimed the attention turned to his girlfriend.

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“One of them tried hugging and kissing my girlfriend and she pushed him back and then he told the one guy to spray us, and he sprayed us,” he said. “They got my friend mainly in the face, my girlfriend on the side of her head, face, and hair, and I got some on my face, in my hair, my shoulder, and neck.”

Soon after, the men left and the three went to one business asking for help but stated they were ignored.

It wasn’t until the teen found his grandmother and went to her place that they were able to call Prince Albert Police. The teen’s grandma explained that the police told them that they’ll work towards getting any video surveillance of the incident, but they still haven’t received an update. paNOW reached out to P.A. police but have not gotten a response at this time.

“I honestly thought one of us was going to be stabbed, at least stabbed,” the teen said.

Until arrests are made, the teen and grandma don’t plan on leaving their place all that often. One of the items stolen was a house key with the teen’s grandma explaining she stayed up all night hoping someone wouldn’t walk through the door.

The teen explained he’s more nervous that he’ll see the group again.

“I’m afraid if I see them in public that they’ll do worst,” he added.

He noted this was the second time he’s been robbed over the past year. During the first incident, he alleges he had a shotgun pulled on him with the suspect eventually taking off with his bike.

Shortly after, he mentioned he went into a deep depression, and he’s scared it’s going to happen again because of this latest robbery.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow