Red Deer RCMP are investigating a brazen armed robbery to the downtown Cash Solutions business on the 5000 block of 48th Street on Monday.
Police responded to the incident at 11:20 a.m. after a lone male entered Cash Solutions brandishing a hand gun and demanding cash. The male fled after an employee handed him an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the RCMP.
At noon, RCMP had cordoned off the building. Two officers stood at the front door while another spoke to a woman inside.
However, officers wouldn’t say how many employees were at the scene when the crime took place.
“We don’t want to give potential robbers more information than they need about how many employees work there,” Cpl. Kathe Deheer said on Monday.
While no one was injured, Deheer said Victim Services will be on hand to assist.
“It is not a usual event for us to have a robbery involving a firearm, we don’t get a lot of those,” Deheer said.
“This is disturbing, it is very violent and scary for the people who work there. They may not be physically injured but they are certainly injured mentally after experiencing this. It is a terrifying event for anyone to go through.”
The male suspect is said to be in his 40s with greying hair, an average build, shorter height and was wearing dark sunglasses, a black hoodie with yellow insignia in the front and “forum” written on the left sleeve.
The RCMP do not have conclusive information at this time if the male left in a vehicle or fled on foot.
“We don’t want to give that information out at this point in time because we don’t have proof that he actually did get into a vehicle,” Deheer said.
While daytime robberies seem more uncommon than those at night, Deheer says that when it comes to banking and money businesses, robberies typically happen during the day.
Police are hoping they will be able to release a more detailed suspect photo in the coming days. Anyone with any information regarding the robbery is asked to contact Red Deer City RCMP at 403-343-5575. Those wanting to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipsubmit.com.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com