Man charged in chatline hook-up robbery

Anthony Paul McDonald will appear in court Sep 24

A man who met another man on a telephone chatline and then allegedly assaulted, tied him up and robbed him will appear in Vancouver Provincial Court Sep 24 for a bail hearing.

Vancouver police allege Anthony Paul McDonald (of no fixed address) arranged to meet a 52-year-old man at his East Vancouver apartment Aug 23.

Police allege that when McDonald arrived, the 29-year-old man sucker-punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground. He then allegedly tied him to a chair and stole his wallet, car keys and car.

A neighbour heard the victim yelling and called police who freed him. He suffered minor injuries.

Around 10 pm, the victim’s stolen car was spotted in the 500 block of East Cordova, and the driver was taken into custody.

He was wanted on a BC-wide warrant from Victoria for forcible confinement, uttering threats and assault.??

Those charges relate to an incident from Aug 17, 2000, court records show.

Victoria police could offer no further details of that incident.

The Victoria case will now be heard in Vancouver, provincial court officials say.

In connection with the East Vancouver incident, McDonald is charged with robbery, possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen credit cards, unlawful confinement, uttering threats and theft over $5,000.

The recent incident has led police to remind people to meet in a public place, let others know your plans, carry a cell phone and report suspicious incidents.

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