Police in Vancouver didn't have to travel to an intergalactic outpost to find Darth Vader when they arrested a suspect dressed as the Star Wars villain near the tony neighbourhood of Shaughnessy.

Sergeant Randy Fincham says police quickly determined they weren't dealing with Luke Skywalker's powerful dad when they responded early Tuesday to a robbery involving a suspect wearing a Darth Vader mask.

He says a 23-year-old victim reported she was unhurt but that her attacker was a woman who'd pointed a gun at her and escaped with a small amount of cash.

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In the absence of Tie fighter patrols, a 911 call helped lead police to a suspect, who was not far away and still wearing the mask.

A search revealed the 20-year-old didn't have a light sabre but was armed with a replica firearm, and Fincham says police will be seeking charges related to robbery and weapons offences.

Fincham says unfortunately for this robber, she underestimated the power of the force.