Calgary, AB,
11
December
2018
|
11:56
America/Denver

Charges laid in recent swarming-style robberies

The Calgary Police Service’s District 4 General Investigations Unit has charged eight youth with a total of 78 charges in relation to recent swarming-style robberies.

On Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, five males between the ages of 13 and 15 years old entered a convenience store located in the 4400 block of Memorial Drive E., and began stealing items from the store. As each youth stole various items, one of the youth threw store merchandise at the clerk throughout the entire incident. The clerk was able to call 9-1-1 while shielding behind the counter and the youth fled the scene.

Officers from District 4 and the Canine Unit attended the scene and tracked the offenders back to a residence located in Forest Lawn. Officers took six youth into custody from the residence, where they were charged in relation to this offence.

While completing the investigation, officers identified 13 other similar incidents between Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, and Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, that the same youth were believed to be involved in. Offenders in these incidents used the same swarming techniques, where a number of youth enter a business and quickly steal a range of items including cell phones, jewelry, food and other electronics. Detectives identified two additional youth believed to be suspects in these previous offences, in addition to the six youth previously charged on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, officers charged all eight youth with additional charges relating to the previous robberies.

In total, eight male youth between the ages of 13 and 15 years old have been charged with 27 counts of robbery, 16 counts of theft under $5,000, three counts of assault, one count of assault with a weapon, 26 breaches of conditions and five previously outstanding warrants.

The investigation is ongoing and police are continuing to gather evidence and identify additional suspects who have been involved in these robberies.

Case #18495789/5522