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Metro Vancouver Transit Police have released video and photos of a woman they say stole an iPhone out of the hands of a teen in a wheelchair.

The 19-year-old man with physical disabilities was travelling aboard the 96 B-Line bus from Guildford Town Centre mall to Newton on the morning of Sept. 12. When the bus stopped at 80th Avenue and King George Boulevard, a woman approached him and grabbed his phone.

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“After a brief struggle, the victim, who is paralyzed in one hand, could no longer hold on and the suspect was able to rip the phone from his grip and step off the bus,” Transit Police Sgt. Clint Hampton said in a statement.

The crime was captured by the bus security camera.

Photo by Transit police handout

Police say the victim was on his way to Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he is working toward improving his independence and job skills.

“His mobile phone meant a great deal to him as the large screen of the iPhone 6S helped make texting and reading easier for him,” Hampton said. “Given the circumstances, the officers investigating this file helped to pay off the outstanding debt on the phone, in order for the victim to acquire a new phone.”

The alleged phone thief is described as white, around 5-feet-4, with a slim build and blond hair. She was wearing a brown and green hoodie, brown and green running tights and green running shoes.

Anyone with information about her identity — or anyone who witnessed the incident — is asked to contact the police tip line at 604-516-7419 and refer to file No. 2019-16866.