By PAT RICH Each morning I search my face to look for criminal features or hidden psychotic tendencies and wonder whether the sun glinting off my eyes may perhaps give them a certain maniacal tinge. But it is all in vain and | can still not understand why the North Vancouver RCMP .- would stop me three times in as many hours as an armed robbery suspect. Me, a _ person of im- peccable habits and un- blemished character and a member of the world’s most honourable profession. But, gentle reader, let me start at the beginning. There I was sitting quietly waiting for North Vancouver Provincial Court to open for the day when |] was ap- proached by a smartly clad gentlemen who flashed his RCMP badge at me and asked me for some iden- tification. He explained that he was investigating some armed robberies in the North Vancouver and that I looked “almost 100 per cent” the same aS a composite drawing that had been made. With an amused smile | showed him my press card ESE § TE evan’ jo pe” weave’ abe A15-Sunday News, January 27, 1980 NOW, HOW COULD anybody possibly mistake me for the armed robber who is shown in this artist's depiction? which immediately satisfied him as he remembered my name. Thinking nothing more of the incident I covered court until Junchtime and then headed back to the News office. On the corner of Lonsdale Avenue and 13th Street a nondescript car pulled up beside me and two suited men got out and approached me from either side. Once again I had an RCMP badge flashed at me and I was asked for iden- tification. These officers not. only wanted to see my press card but they also took down the information on my drivers’ licence and asked _ twice whether I had a criminal record. By now I realized it was not going to be an ordinary morning so I was only mildly surprised when a marked RCMP vehicle passed me while I was waiting for a bus on Third Street, an hour later, turned and doubled back further up the street and pulled up on the curb in front of me. “How are you today Sir?” the officer asked (RCMP officers are, to a fault, polite.” 1 told him 1 was fine and got out the I.D. he asked for. “This must be about the armed robbery business again,” I said, trying to be friendly. Thinking back on that later statement I consider myself lucky I was not arrested on the spot. But the officer let my statement go by without comment (was that a slight tensing of the gun-arm that I noticed) and looked at my LD. This policeman was not at all impressed by my press card and only wanted to look at my Canadian citizenship card. He had obviously not yet learned that journalists have impeccable morals and besides, are above the law. After explaining to him that this was my_ third questioning of the morning he appeared satisfied and went on his way. It was only later that I learned that two of the armed robberies under investigation took place within blocks of where | had been standing. The search that had netted me so effectively was for a man who held up the Three Way Chevron, 660 West 3rd Street, on January 6, the Third Street Esso at 177 West 3rd Street, on January 10, and the Pay and Save, at NT REPORTER 970 Marine Drive on January 14. Undisclosed amounts of money were taken from all of these places. What I can’t understand 1s how anybody could possibly mistake me for that armed robber. I mean sure, we are both white males, with metal framed glasses, and at the time, long hair. But, while he is sup- posedly 25 years old, I ama sprightly 22. And while he is approximately 5 ft. 8 inches tall and 160 pounds in weight, I am a towering 5 ft. 10 inches and a very trim 140 pounds. And what is more im- portant is that my clear blue innocent eyes could be in no way mistaken for those of a hardened felon. However, since the person the police are looking for 1s still at large I have taken the precaution of having all my hair cut off. So if you see anybody matching the above description or know anything about the robberies you can report it to the North Vancouver RCMP at 985-1311 without fear of geting me in trouble. I mean if the police were looking for me I wouldn't be Sitting around writing this article, would I? THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT OVER SO YEARS OF DIANE LEBOUTILLIER LORELEI! PETTIT MARION GAUER NORM LEEMING JUDY LEBOUTILLIER EXPERIENCE IN THE Auto Insurance BUSINESS RENEWALS, PLATES, DECALS AND TRANSFERS AT OUR BOOTH UNDER THE ESCALATOR, PARK ROYAL MALL NORTH 9:30-5:30 SATURDAY & MONDAY - WEDNESDAY PROTECTION PLUS SERVICE ‘peek tenement ne) Se RE AE A 80 922-9321 .C.B.C. PREMIUM FINANCING AVAILABLE INSURANCE SERVICES LTD. 9:30 - 9:00 THURSDAY - FRIDAY oA -YouR st Liannncance mod *, Seaver’ 755 NORTH PARK ROYAL, WEST VANCOUVER ae pedepinds We AGENT ouf taste: