On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 12:55 pm, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to an armed robbery at the Rexall Drugs in Millet, Alta. Three young males entered the store, two of them had firearms. They stole prescription drugs valued at over $3,000. No one was hurt during the robbery.
Fortunately, numerous witnesses informed police the licence plate of a brown vehicle that sped from the area. Police responded immediately to the scene and began patrols looking for suspects.
Police believe the three males split up, and one male continued in a brown car back towards Millet, and the other two fled in an older blue SUV west towards the QEII Highway.
A short while later in Wetaskiwin County, another witness noted a male in a brown car on the side of the road. Shortly after a fire started, growing to a small bush fire. Wetaskiwin Fire Services promptly attended and put out the fire.
While patrolling in the area of the fire, police located the suspect vehicle, which fled from police. A pursuit was initiated. The suspect vehicle led police in a chase for over 30 km, and the pursuit ended with the use of a tire deflation device. Police Dog Services and the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team as well as members from Leduc and Maskwacis detachments all assisted with the pursuit, resulting in the arrest of one male.
"This was a fantastic example of alert neighbours and community calling police when they see something suspicious," stated Cst. Shaun Marchand of the Wetaskiwin RCMP. "The success in locating and arresting the accused and providing critical information for this investigation has everything to do with members of the public recognizing something was out of places on three separate occasions."
As a result of the investigation, the following charges have been laid against a 19-year-old male of Airdrie, Alta.:
- Robbery with offensive weapon
- Disguised with intent
- Resist/Obstruct arrest (X2)
- Mischief under $5000
- Arson
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Pointing a firearm
- Using firearm in commission of an offence
- Flight from police
- Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
- Fail to comply with release order (X3)
- Fail to comply with undertaking
- Fail to Remain at scene after MVC (x2)
- Learner drive motor vehicle without proper supervision
Two other suspects remain outstanding. They are both described as:
- Male
- Caucasian
- Short (Approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall to 5 feet 6 inches tall)
- Young (Approximately 18 years old to 25 years old)
- Wore all black during the robbery
- Drove an older blue SUV
- Have in their possession a firearm
Police consider the two outstanding suspects to be armed and dangerous.
The 19-year-old male was brought before a Justice of the Peace. He was remanded and is scheduled to appear in court in Wetaskiwin on May 13, 2021.
If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.