An inter-provincial investigation between the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Windsor Police Service, the Sarnia Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Calgary Police Service has resulted in an arrest and charges being laid in a series of pharmacy armed robberies in the Windsor and Essex County area.
OPP officials say between December 12, 2016 and February 14, 2017, the OPP in Essex County investigated four robberies at Lakeshore, Ontario pharmacies including:
– December 12, 2016 – 7000 block Tecumseh Road, Lakeshore, Ontario
– December 14, 2016 – 400 block Advance Blvd, Lakeshore, Ontario
– January 18, 2017 – 400 block Advance Blvd, Lakeshore, Ontario
– February 14, 2017 – 400 block Advance Blvd, Lakeshore, Ontario
Parallel to this investigation, the Windsor Police Service, Sarnia Police Service and the Lambton and Middlesex OPP Major Crime Units were investigating similar occurrences in their respective jurisdictions.
Police say through an extensive investigation involving several police services, members of the Essex County OPP Major Crime Unit identified a suspect residing in Alberta.
OPP investigators contacted the RCMP and Calgary Police Service resulting in further investigation, location and subsequent arrest of the party believed responsible for approximately 12 robberies in Southwestern Ontario in addition to similar acts in Alberta.
A 34-year-old Calgary man, who was formerly from Sarnia, is currently in custody in Alberta facing charges in that jurisdiction.
An arrest warrant for the suspect has been issued by the OPP and will be executed at a later date to bring him before a Windsor, Ontario court to face 24 charges for offences committed in these Southwestern, Ontario jurisdictions including:
– Robbery x 12
– Disguise With Intent x 12
“The arrest of the individual responsible for multiple pharmacy robberies in SW Ontario and Alberta brings an end to a series of violent crimes that impacted our communities,” stated Glenn Miller, detachment commander for the Essex County OPP.
“This multi-jurisdictional investigation demonstrated the tenacity of a dedicated team of investigators who successfully collaborated with several agencies, leading to the arrest of a former Sarnia resident in Calgary. These investigations are complex in nature and speak to the professionalism and excellent inter agency cooperation.”
