Five men threatened and intimidated the clerk of a local convenience store before fleeing with cigarettes and cash during a robbery last month.
The RCMP are now asking for the public’s help identifying the suspects, who robbed the Mac’s convenience store on Giroux Road at around 3:40 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The five men entered the store dressed similarly in hoodies, with sunglasses and the bottom of their faces covered.
One of the men was carrying a baseball bat and used it to threaten the clerk, as well as smashing a store window.
Cpl. Laurel Kading with the St. Albert RCMP said the robbery was unusual in one respect, because the five men stayed in the store for several minutes grabbing merchandise.
“I don’t know for sure, but it was several minutes as opposed to most guys want to be in and out in seconds or a minute at the most,” she said. “It was just a little bit different.”
In addition to the cash and cigarettes the suspects took small items like candy and snacks.
Kading said the investigators have not encountered any similar robberies yet, but are talking to other police forces to see if there are any similar robberies.
“We are kind of keeping all of our options open. We are definitely comparing notes with Edmonton city police and other jurisdictions.”
The police brought in a forensics unit and a police dog, but the dog lost the sent of the suspects. They were last seen heading west from the store.
Kading said officers believe they may have walked away from the store toward a residential area and then got into a car, but they can’t be certain.
Anyone with any information on the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700.
Photos of the suspects are available on the Neighbourhood Watch website at www.eyewatch.info
