A Surrey business owner had a terrifying encounter on Friday when two armed suspects entered his office and threatened him. The owner, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recounted the harrowing experience to Global News.
According to the owner, two masked men armed with guns arrived at his business as he was ending his day. One of the suspects stayed at the front of the store while the other headed into the back hallway. The armed man at the front rounded up the employees while the other confronted the owner in his office.
The suspect in the black hoodie and mask questioned why the owner had not answered his boss’s phone calls, which the owner found suspicious. The gunmen, one of whom had an assault-style rifle, demanded that the owner answer the next call from their boss.
The incident was captured on the store’s CCTV camera system, showing the suspects in and out of the business in just 50 seconds. Before leaving, they stole the owner’s cellphone.
The owner expressed concern for his safety, his family, and his employees, emphasizing the need for the RCMP to take action. The suspects fled in a grey Dodge Charger, and Surrey investigators are seeking information from the public.
This incident comes in the wake of multiple cases of extortion and extortion-linked shootings in the area. Surrey RCMP had previously issued warnings after business owners received threatening letters demanding protection money. Two men were arrested in connection with extortion attempts in December 2023.
The owner’s family has no ties to organized crime, leaving them puzzled as to why they were targeted. Surrey RCMP confirmed the incident as a robbery with a firearm and urged anyone with information to come forward.