Suspects targeted gas stations in the Saskatchewan community of Paradise Hill, as well as the Alberta towns of Lamont, Mundare and Two Hills.
A string of robberies in small-town Saskatchewan and Alberta over the New Year’s period have authorities piecing together a criminal puzzle.
Between Dec. 30 and Jan. 4, suspects targeted gas stations in the Saskatchewan community of Paradise Hill, as well as the Alberta communities of Lamont, Mundare and Two Hills, according to an RCMP news release.
Several of the crimes were literally “drive in,” as the suspects drove a vehicle into the building, causing major damage. They stole automatic teller machines by hauling them away with a flatbed tow truck, said Alberta RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelsey Davidge.
The suspects also stole liquor and cigarettes.
In one instance, RCMP believe shots were fired when the robbers were confronted by a complainant.
One of the suspects may have been hobbling around with a broken foot. Footage of the crimes shows one suspect possibly wearing a walking cast on their left foot.
The towns hit were all fairly small, from Paradise Hill at population 495 to Lamont, the largest, at 1,744.
The suspects avoided larger towns within the same area such as Vegreville, which has more than 5,000 residents.
“Due to the similarity of the complaints, it is believed that these occurrences are connected,” Davidge said.
“We’re able to compare (surveillance video) and link them and to comfortably say they’re related.”
Saskatchewan and Alberta RCMP are seeking public assistance to identify and gain more footage of the suspects and the vehicle used.
“It’s very distinctive. It’s not that generic looking,” said Davidge of the white, single-cab pickup truck with a tow bed and integrated hitch, and perhaps touches of red or blue paint.
One of the suspects appeared to be wearing a blue oilfield-style coat with a stripe or vertical pattern.
“Although they have their faces covered, we’re hoping someone will pick up on those little details (and call in tips) in order to help the investigation move along,” she said.
The suspects are believed to have used weapons in some of the offences. RCMP warned against approaching the suspects, “as they have been armed and are considered dangerous.”
