The RCMP believe that five armed robberies which have occurred over the last 30 days in various Central Alberta towns may be linked.

Criminals cross jurisdictions all the time, so interagency collaboration is crucial to disrupting their operations.

The Priority Crimes Task Force along with RCMP members from Red Deer, Ponoka, Sundre, Rimbey and Sylvan Lake Detachments are working together to share intelligence and solve the armed robberies which have occurred in these areas.

On Dec. 22nd at 11:40 p.m. a bar was robbed in Bentley.

Two male suspects armed with a gun and a black hunting knife demanded money and departed with the money. The suspect vehicle was described as a dark coloured newer Dodge, possibly a Durango.

Suspect number one was described as Caucasian, about 5’6” tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a balaclava or dark coloured ski mask, a dark grey sweatshirt with plaid pattern and green gloves.

Suspect number two was described as Caucasian, about 6’ tall with a slender build. He was wearing dark, possibly black clothing, wearing a ‘gator’ balaclava (covering the bottom portion of this face). There was possibly a red flame logo on one of the shoulders of his shirt.

On Dec. 28th at 2 p.m., two men entered the East 40th Pub in Red Deer wielding a shotgun and a screwdriver.

They placed the money into a black bag they brought with them and left in a metallic brown Toyota Sienna that was driven by a third suspect.

Suspect number one was described as Caucasian, between 18- 32-years-old, about 5’8” or 5’10” tall and between 150 – 170 lbs. He was wearing a balaclava, sunglasses and a ball cap, a blue hoodie, plaid fleece pants, grey work gloves and white running shoes with black soles. He was carrying a shotgun.

Suspect two was described as Caucasian, between 18 – 32 years old, about 5’10” – 6’ tall and between 180 – 200 lbs. He was wearing a balaclava, a grey hoodie, dark grey pants with a white stripe down the leg, dark work gloves and dark running shoes with white soles. He was carrying a screwdriver.

On Dec. 31st at 11:35 a.m., two disguised males robbed the Sundre Motor Inn. One male was armed with a shotgun; the suspects placed the cash in a black bag they had brought with them.

A third suspect waited in a stolen Blue/Grey Chevrolet Trail Blazer that was abandoned and recovered nearby shortly afterwards.

Suspect one was described as a Caucasian male, 6’0″ tall with an average build. He had a very pronounced nose. He is between 30- 35-years-old. He was wearing plaid blue/grey pants with dark shoes, dark blue winter jacket with red top, grey hood, blue/green face covering (possibly “monster drink” logo on front), black and leather work gloves. He was carrying a shotgun.

Suspect two was described as a Caucasian male, 5’8″ with an average build. He was between 28- 30-years-old. He was wearing a black hoodie jacket, red gloves, blue jeans rolled up at the cuffs, white sneakers, sunglasses, and a white bandana face covering with black dots.

On Jan. 7th at 6:15 p.m., two male suspects robbed a hotel in Ponoka wielding what appears to be a shotgun and a large knife). The suspects fled in a waiting Kia Sorrento which had an unidentified driver. The vehicle had been stolen from Red Deer and was later located abandoned.

Suspect number one, who entered first, was described as Caucasian, about 6’2” tall and 220 – 240 lbs. He had a white hoodie with grey checkered pattern on the shoulders and hood as well as a white full face balaclava, white gloves, black camo pants, dark or black running shoes and light coloured (possibly white, with spray paint). He was carrying a sawed off shot gun (barrel and stock) with a black sling.

Suspect number two, who entered the building second, was described as about 5’8” tall with an average build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, half face balaclava and light blue jeans. He had a black bag (satchel style) on right and tan work boots with black toe. He also had a knife with shiny silver blade held in right hand.

On Jan. 15th at 9:50 p.m., the Grande Hotel in Rimbey was robbed by two males, one carrying a shotgun. Both men appeared to be Caucasian, were wearing black hoodies, masks and blue jeans. The employee at the Hotel was told to empty the register and hand over the money. One male was carrying a bag, and they departed with the money. No vehicle description is available.

No one was injured in any of these robberies and no shots were fired.

At this point, RCMP believe these robberies are related, and cooperative investigations and shared intelligence are ongoing between the various detachments, in keeping with “K” Division crime reduction strategies. Updates will be provided as more information comes available.

Public assistance is sought in helping to identify the suspects in these robberies. Anyone with information about these investigations is asked to call the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or at www.tipsubmit.com.

– Fawcett