Multiple youths facing 76 charges in series of violent robberies
As a result of a six-month investigation, the Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit has charged five youth in relation to a series of violent robberies.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, police were called for reports of a robbery at the Village Square IDA pharmacy located at 2640 52 Street N.E., where a group of youth allegedly threatened staff with bear spray. The suspects fled prior to police arrival with various narcotics.
Five days later, as police continued to investigate the robbery, officers began uncovering commonalities between several other robberies that had been committed throughout 2022 across the city, leading them to believe the same group were involved.
Over the next six months, police were able to identify a series of armed robberies and carjackings where the firearms used in these incidents were linked to the same group.
As a result of a lengthy and complex investigation, the youths are believed to be responsible for 11 incidents including pharmacy robberies, carjacking robberies and personal robberies occurring between June 2022 and Jan. 2023, resulting in a total of 76 charges combined including:
- Five counts of robbery with a firearm
- 22 counts of robbery
- 13 counts of using a disguise with intent
- 19 counts of unlawful confinement
- 11 counts of breaching a court order
- Six counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
None of the youths, who are all teenaged boys, can be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“This investigation required support and resources from several different areas of the Service who worked collaboratively to ensure strong evidence was captured to support the necessary charges,” says Staff Sergeant Rod Harbidge of the Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit. “Our priority is to ensure and uphold public safety, and that includes holding those who threaten the safety of our communities accountable.”
Three of the accused remain in custody and two have been released pending their next court appearance.
The youths will appear individually in court on the following dates:
- Thursday, April 27, 2023
- Tuesday, May 9, 2023
- Wednesday, May 10, 2023
- Tuesday, June 13, 2023
- Thursday, July 13, 2023
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CA22435349/5731