A man on a mountain bike mugged a woman for her cellphone this morning at a bus stop a few blocks from the Saanich police station.

Saanich police say a woman was waiting at the bus stop of the northbound lane of Vernon Avenue in the 800 block and a male approached her at 6:13 a.m. He produced an undisclosed weapon and demanded the woman's wallet.

She told the man she didn't have a wallet and pushed him away, police say. She then ran away but fell, dropping her cellphone. Threatening with his weapon, he demanded her wallet again, she again insisted she had no wallet, so he took the cellphone and rode away on his bike.

The suspect was last seen entering the parking lot at 880 Vernon Ave. Police say the woman tried to flag down passing drivers, but nobody stopped. She called police from a restaurant at the Saanich Plaza across the road.

The suspect couldn't be found. He is desribed as white, about 35, average build, small dark eyes, stubble and a broad nose. The suspect wore a tan coloured trench coat, dark cargo pants, dark shoes and was riding a dark coloured mountain bike.

Saanich police major crimes unit is investigating this case. Police are seeking the public's assistance with anyone living in the Uptown or Saanich Plaza area or commuting, between 6 and 6:30 a.m. today, who may have witnessed the incident or the suspect before or after the robbery.

Anyone with information can call the Saanich Police tip line at 250-475-4356.

editor@saanichnews.com