Police are looking for three suspects responsible for a string of armed robberies in Red Deer.
Red Deer RCMP believe the same two men committed three armed robberies between Feb. 19 and 24. They believe a third accomplice was waiting in a nearby vehicle in all three robberies.
Police are seeking the public’s help while they continue to investigate.
In all three robberies, one man brandished a knife and another had a handgun. They demanded cash and cigarettes from staff.
The two suspects were dressed in dark clothing and wore face coverings. They both had slim builds and appeared to be Caucasian men in their early 20s, approximately 1.78 metres (five foot 10 inches) to 1.83 metres (six feet) tall.
In the first incident on Feb.19, two men entered the Fas Gas Plus at 5101 76th St. around 11:40 p.m. One man was brandishing a handgun and the other had a knife. The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money and a carton of cigarettes to a nearby alley where they were seen entering a waiting vehicle.
The vehicle drove through Nordegg Crescent and headed west toward Gaetz Avenue. The car is described as a dark-coloured or black compact hatchback.
Police say on Feb. 21, two men entered the Fas Gas at 5926 54th Ave. around 11:30 p.m. Again one suspect had a handgun and the other had a knife. They demanded cash and cigarettes. They fled the store, running west. Police dog services tracked the suspects for a short distance.
Finally on Feb. 24, two men entered Corral Foods at 6834 59the Ave. around 7:30 p.m. The suspects left the location with an undisclosed amount of money and a carton of cigarettes. Police dog services tracked the suspects for a short distance.
Cpl. Leanne Molzahn of the Red Deer RCMP said these criminals are becoming more brazen, and their impact is terrifying for the victims who are confronted with firearms and knives.
“Red Deerians play an important role as ‘eyes and ears’ that work with the police to prevent and solve crimes,” she said. “We’re asking the public to work with us on these robberies — whether you recognize some detail in the photos, see a suspicious person or vehicle, or you’ve noted behaviours by people you know are criminally active that line up with these robberies, please take note of all the details you can and report it to the RCMP.”
Anyone with information that may assist the police with these investigations is asked to call Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.