Two similar incidents of cones blocking Richmond roads at night with masked people standing nearby have put residents on guard.
Around 2 a.m. on July 29, a female driver came across cones blocking the road near Westminster Highway and Blanshard Drive, in Terra Nova.
The driver got out of her car to move the cones when she noticed three people, described as “men dressed all in black, wearing what appeared to be gas masks,” standing around, explained Cpl. Adrianna O’Malley, Richmond RCMP spokesperson.
One of the men started walking towards the driver so she got back into her car and drove away, all the while seeing the three men “moving in her direction,” according to police.
Several Richmond residents have taken to Facebook to share their concerns after hearing about the incident, describing it as “terrifying” and “scary.”
In a similar incident on the same night, Richmond RCMP responded to a report of a “suspicious circumstance” shortly after 2:30 a.m. where six young people were seen setting up cones on No. 1 Road near Westminster Highway, again blocking traffic.
Police were told motorists moved the cones and drove through but noticed the youth moved them back onto the roadway.
“Richmond RCMP front-line officers attended and located cones and a shopping cart on the roadway,” said O’Malley. But, by the time police arrived, the youth had left the area.
Police believe the incidents may be linked based on the time, method and the similar areas they happened in.
“Richmond RCMP recommend if you come across any suspicious circumstances, such as this, to get to a safe location and report it as soon as possible to police.”
