THUNDER BAY — City police have arrested three people following investigations of two recent convenience store robberies, one of which left a bystander with serious injuries.
Police said in the first instance they were dispatched to a business in the 1300 block of Arthur Street East on the morning of Dec. 29, after receiving a report of a robbery.
According to a release issued on Friday, two male suspects allegedly entered the store, using hoods and masks to conceal their identities. One allegedly stole merchandise while the other is accused of jumping over the counter and threatening the clerk with a weapon while stealing money from the cash register.
The suspects also allegedly assaulted an elderly woman bystander as they fled.
Two days later, police were again dispatched to Arthur Street, this time to a business in the 600 block, where another robbery was reported to be in progress.
Once again, two suspects entered the store with concealed faces, brandishing knives and threatening staff.
They stole cash and merchandise before fleeing the scene.
One of the suspects in the first incident was identified and arrested by the TBPS’ break and enter and robbery unit on New Year’s Eve.
As a result, the 35-year-old has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, aggravated assault and failure to comply with probation.
Two other suspects were identified on Jan. 2 and taken into custody.
A 20-year-old man, allegedly involved in both incidents, has been charged with armed robbery, robbery with violence, two counts of disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of failure to comply with a release order.
The second is charged in connection with the Dec. 31 incident. The 26-year-old man was charged with armed robbery, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats and two counts of failure to comply with a probation order.
All three have appeared in court and have been remanded into custody awaiting a future court appearance.
It is Newswatch policy not to name suspects in cases where it is unlikely we will follow the case through to its conclusion in court.
