Tips lead to new information in violent armed robbery
Police are releasing new information and continue to ask for the public’s help to identify and locate suspects believed to be connected to a violent armed robbery last year.
Just before 9 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, three masked men armed with handguns and a machete entered Hempisphere, located at 5315 17 Ave. S.E. Once inside, one of the men grabbed the store manager and held a gun to her head, demanding the keys to the safe. At the same time, the other two men went into a back room, grabbed the clerk and forced him to provide keys to the safe. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspects then ripped the phone cords out of the walls and damaged the phones. They forced the employees into the back room while they removed product from the store before fleeing.
After issuing a media release on Feb. 27, investigators received tips from the public that now lead them to believe the suspects fled the area in a black, four-door car. The vehicle has not yet been located and two of the three suspects are yet to be identified.
One of the suspects, the Caucasian male, was identified following the initial media release. He was located and brought in for questioning. He was later released without charges pending further investigation.
Description of the other two suspects are as follows:
The first man is described as a black male, tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, with a red scarf over his face, a brown belt, dark jeans and white runners.
The second man is described as having a medium build. He was wearing a white baseball hat, mirrored sunglasses, a blue sweatshirt, black gloves, black track pants, black dress shoes and also had a bandana covering his face.
CCTV video and still photos of the suspects can be found on The City of Calgary Newsroom.
Anyone with information about the identity and location of these suspects or the vehicle is asked to contact the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637
Case 17028191/4916