Canmore RCMP are asking the public for assistance following an armed robbery at Fergie’s Convenience & Pizza after a male suspect made off with about $1,000 in cash, last night (July 30).
According to Cpl. Jack Wrobel, RCMP responded to the store’s location at Cougar Creek Drive and Benchlands Trail after a complaint of an armed robbery shortly after 11 p.m.
Store owner and manager Danielle Jean said there was only one employee working at the time of the robbery and the suspect entered through the back door, which was unlocked. The front door was locked on the hour at the store’s regular closing time.
“Nobody knows this back door unless it’s somebody who’s been here for awhile, or a customer, or people we know,” Jean said, adding the suspect may be someone who lives nearby.
“She (employee) was almost done the till when the guy came in wearing a balaclava and he had a gun,” she explained, saying the robbery happened very quickly. “He walked through the kitchen to her and asked her for the money.”
The employee, who’s in her early 20s and is seven months pregnant, thinks she recognized the suspect’s voice and bright eyes, Jean pointed out. The robber fled the scene on foot.
“I have a feeling that it’s probably somebody local that comes in here and knows our habits and what we do,” she said. “I don’t care about the cash as long as my girl is safe. She was very shook up last night.”
Police searched the area with a K-9 unit and, according to Jean, will take prints from the back door sometime today (July 31). A video technician has also been called to see if the store’s video surveillance captured an image of the suspect.
Six years ago, Fergie’s was robbed when Jordan Lee Carter of Canmore entered the store with a butcher knife and demanded cash from the register. He later surrendered to police.
“We haven’t had any at all this year,” Wrobel said about robberies in town. “It’s not a common occurrence for us to be investigating armed robberies in Canmore.”
As a preventative measure, RCMP are advising store owners to have at least two employees present late at night and have working video surveillance equipment.
Despite the robbery, Jean is thankful for the amount of support shown by customers and nearby businesses.
“Right now, I have a very good support from the local people and I appreciate that.”
The suspect in the investigation is described as a male between the age of 16 and 24, approximately 5 foor 5 and of thin build. The store employee said he was wearing a black balaclava, blue hoodie, blue jeans and carried a backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call the local detachment at 403-678-5516 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
