Four charged in cell phone store robbery
The Calgary Police Service has charged four individuals in connection with a robbery at a cell phone store last week.
At approximately noon, on Friday, June 8, 2018, two men and two male youths entered a cell phone store located in the 19000 block of Seton Crescent S.E. One man produced a firearm and demanded access to the store’s safe. The group then took new cell phones and tablets from the safe and fled the store in a stolen, black SUV.
No one was injured during the robbery.
Police officers spotted the vehicle shortly after it fled and followed it until it was left along Stoney Trail S.E., next to the community of Copperfield. The suspects fled on foot from the vehicle, but were located a short time later. The suspects were taken into custody without incident and an airsoft firearm was seized.
Emmi Lemi LADO, 18, of Calgary, is charged with one count each of robbery with a firearm and possession of property obtained by crime worth over $5,000.
Erat Izzo ODONGI, 19, of Calgary, is charged with one count each of robbery with a firearm and possession of property obtained by crime worth over $5,000.
Two 17-year-old youths have also both been charged with one count each of robbery with a firearm and possession of property obtained by crime worth over $5,000, as well as breaching court conditions. The accused individuals cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police continue to work closely with cell phone retailers to help stores take steps that can help prevent robberies like these. Retailers are advised to have clear, high-definition CCTV cameras in their stores and multiple staff working whenever the store is open. Panic buttons can also be installed for employees to call for help without alerting the suspects.
In the event of a robbery, store employees should remain calm, let the robbers know what you are doing before you reach for anything or move so they are not startled, and cooperate with the demands that are being made. After the robbers leave, lock the store and call police.
It is believed that there is an organized effort to steal cell phones from retailers across the city and the Calgary Police Service has been working to identify and arrest individuals involved in this activity.
Anyone with information about these incidents or the identities of people involved to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using either of these methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
Tips given to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property can be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. When a reward is given, the anonymity of the person who gave the tip is still protected.
Case# 18251707/3705