Mounties Get Their Man

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Community and Police Harmony Solves Crime

A robber’s get away was short lived after being arrested within minutes of robbing a gas bar on Bruce Ave Wednesday afternoon.

Just before 5 PM a robbery was reported at a gas bar located at the intersection of Bruce Ave and Eight St. A lone male entered the store and, in front of several customers, held a knife to the clerk’s neck and demanded money from the till. An undisclosed amount was handed over and he then fled the store.

Police were on scene within minutes and with the assistance of in store surveillance cameras and multiple witness accounts , a solid description was provided and sent out to responding members. Approximately ten minutes after the robbery, a member spotted a male matching the description of the robber. The suspect was promptly arrested and taken into custody without incident. A knife believed to have been used was also located a short distance from the male.

Investigators flooded the area and their efforts were rewarded with the recovery of the stolen money from a near by residence. A 26 year old male who is known to police was held in custody and was to appear before a Nanaimo Provincial court judge this morning. Police are recommending one count of robbery .

“This incident was a perfect example of the police and community working together to solve crime. The business had excellent state-of-the-art surveillance cameras installed and numerous witnesses came forward without hesitation, to provide accurate eye witness accounts of the robbery. Our members responded quickly and by doing so, a violent offender was arrested and the stolen money had been returned to the business,“ said Constable Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson for the Nanaimo RCMP.