A suspect is in custody after a man robbed a Red Deer liquor store at knifepoint and then crashed into another vehicle while making his getaway.
RCMP said a knife-wielding man walked into the Gaetz Avenue Liquor Store at 3417 50th Ave. around noon on Monday. He walked out with two bottles of liquor and then stole a Honda Acura.
While fleeing in the stolen vehicle, a suspect collided with another car in front of Sunnybrook Farm Museum at 47th Avenue and 30th Street.
One eyewitness who was heading north on 47th Avenue and was passed by the suspect’s speeding vehicle heading for the curve in front of Sunnybrook Farm Museum told the Red Deer Advocate she feared the worst.
“He was going so fast he was erratic,” said the woman, who asked not to be named. “It was scary.”
After the crash, the suspect jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot. Witnesses spotted him running in the area of Sims Furniture and Bower Place Shopping Centre.
After unsuccessfully trying to get into several nearby homes, the suspect was cornered by police cornered in a backyard. He allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened police before being taken into custody.
No police officers were hurt. The suspect suffered minor injuries.
The woman in the other vehicle was trapped in her vehicle and had to be rescued by Red Deer Emergency Services.
She was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries. Police say she was conscious and talking.
“At this point, RCMP continue to piece together the details of this series of events and interview witnesses,” says RCMP Cpl. Sarah Knelsen.
“They are also investigating a report that the suspect struck another vehicle before colliding with the female victim in front of Sunnybrook Farm.”
Police are still trying to track that driver down.
“RCMP would like to thank the many members of the public who provided valuable information on the suspect’s location,” said Knelsen.
The name of the suspect and charges have not yet been released.
Anyone with any more information is asked to call police at 403-343-5575 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com