Three teens were robbed and assaulted while held at knifepoint for nearly 1½ hours by a gang of men, including one wearing a "scary clown mask."

Another suspect, the one holding the knife, referred to himself as “the slitter” or “the slicer,” police said

The three teens — two 18-year-old women and an 18-year-old man — left the Polo Park shopping centre at about 4 p.m. on July 12 and were walking to the creek under the railway bridge east of Empress Street and Westway.

They were taking pictures in the area when they were surrounded by five men.

The male victim was beaten in the upper body causing him to fall to the ground. He suffered minor injuries, police said.

All three victims were robbed of identification, debit cards, cash, and cell phones. The attackers also got one woman's bank card PIN, resulting in an undisclosed amount of cash being later withdrawn, police said.

The victims were eventually allowed to leave and police were called.

The suspects are all described as male and about 20 years old.

The one with the knife was about six feet tall with a heavy build, short dark hair, scraggly goatee, possible hickeys on his neck and scars on his legs. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a white logo “COOGI” on the front and tan shorts.

Another was tall and skinny with a brown spot or bump on the white area of his right eye. He had a pockmarked face and a small tattoo on his left forearm.

Another was about 5-foot-11 with a medium build and dark brown, slightly longer hair. He had the word “Anderson” tattooed on the underside of his left forearm and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

Another is described as being about 5-foot-6 with a heavier build, flatter face and acne on the top of his chest and lower back area. He was not wearing a shirt but was wearing black basketball shorts and a black brimmed hat.

The fifth suspect, who was wearing the clown mask during part of the robbery, was about 5-foot7 with an average build, light shorter hair and buck teeth. He was wearing a black T-shirt with white designs, black shorts, black hat and was referred to as Jordon by the other suspects.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-2877 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).