Armed bandits continue to elude capture after pulling off a brazen daytime robbery more than a year ago at a video terminal lottery lounge in Red Deer.
Red Deer city RCMP Red Deer City RCMP continue to investigate the May 1, 2011 morning robbery inside Sheraton Hotel Red Deer, formerly called the Capri Hotel and Convention Centre, at 3310 50th Ave.
“We’re hoping that people will come forward with information,” said Cpl. Kathe DeHeer on Tuesday.
Sometimes a piece of information that may seem irrelevant is the key that police need in solving this crime, she added.
Last November, police released enhanced photos from the video surveillance system to identify the suspects involved in this violent robbery. Those same photos are being released again, said DeHeer.
On the day of the robbery, three people drove up to the hotel in a stolen burgundy-coloured Dodge Spirit with Alberta licence plate EXT 042. While one person stayed inside the car outside the doors leading to the lounge, two others walked in at about 10:20 a.m.
The two males had their faces concealed. One of them carried a shotgun, the other an extendable baton.
Police say the suspects shouted instructions to employees, then went behind the bar and took an undisclosed amount of money. They took off through the same doors and into the waiting car. The driver was seen heading southbound in the hotel parking lot.
Police say about 15 people, including staff, had been in the lounge. No one was harmed.
The male who carried the shotgun is described as Caucasian, about 5’10” tall (178 cm), 90 kg (about 200 lbs), possibly in 20s,
and sporting a brownish blonde mustache. He wore dark sunglasses, a white or light grey hoodie with the hood up, white gloves, white shoes, and dark-coloured pants.
The male, carrying the baton, is described as Caucasian, possibly in his 20s and wearing dark sunglasses, a white or light grey hoodie with hood up, white globes, possibly a black baseball cap under the hood, grey pants and grey shoes.
The suspect inside the car is described as black with short black hair, heavy set and possibly in his early 20s. He wore a burgundy sweater or hoodie.
For more information, call RCMP at 403-343-5575, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipsubmit.com.