WEST Vancouver Police are continuing to investigate allegations of a violent robbery Saturday night.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday (March 31), West Vancouver Police were called to the 4900-block of Marine Drive to reports of a robbery and assault.

Police were advised the incident began when a 17-year-old West Vancouver resident arranged by phone to meet individuals for a drug purchase. Upon entering a vehicle to complete a transaction, the youth was allegedly threatened with what appeared to be a pistol. The victim was then robbed of a quantity of cash and a cellphone and allegedly assaulted by two males before the suspects fled in their vehicle.

Independent witnesses of the assault assisted in immediately relaying suspect and vehicle descriptions to police and officers immediately undertook measures to locate the suspects, including extensive traffic checkpoints.

The investigation resulted in the identification of the suspects. A male was arrested at a West Vancouver residence at about 8:30 p.m. Shortly before 9 p.m., the suspect vehicle was located near Taylor Way and the Trans-Canada Highway, and a female suspect was taken into custody without incident. Investigators have determined the identity of two other persons who were allegedly in the suspect vehicle at the time of the offence and efforts are ongoing to locate both.

The alleged victim suffered cuts and bruising consistent with being punched several times in separate assaults by two suspects.

A 17-year-old West Vancouver male has been remanded in custody by a Judicial Justice. Investigators will recommend several charges, including robbery with a firearm, uttering threats and assault.

A 19-year-old North Vancouver woman was released on a promise to appear at North Vancouver Provincial Court. Investigators are recommending a charge of robbery with firearm (accessory after the fact).

Investigators will request an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old Bowen Island man, recommending charges including robbery with a firearm, uttering threats and assault.

A fourth person believed to be in the suspect vehicle has been identified, however, the investigation has not uncovered evidence at this point to support any charge recommendations against that person. No firearm has been recovered.

The investigation is ongoing and active. Additional charge recommendations are possible.