An 18-year-old man will face forcible confinement and weapon-related charges after allegedly wielding a machete and spraying staff with bear spray in order to rob the Express 24 Foodmart on Erickson Drive early Monday morning.
Police arrived on scene, catching two suspects taking cash from the till after assaulting a staff member around 4:37 a.m.
A second staff member in the back was able to call police as soon as he saw two men enter the store wearing bandanas over their faces and carrying machetes.
The first staff member was sprayed with bear spray and was treated by EMS for minor physical injuries.
The second staff member was not injured. The two male suspects were taken into custody by police without further incident.
Aaron Bull, 18, of Red Deer is charged with two counts of forcible confinement, robbery with a weapon, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, two counts of assault with a weapon and wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime.
Bull was to appear in Red Deer provincial court.
The second male, a 17-year-old who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with nine similar charges.
The youth appears in court on Thursday in provincial court in Red Deer.