CHESTERMERE, Alta – Thanks to a tip from the public, two teenage girls from Chestermere were arrested following an armed robbery at a local pharmacy on March 5.
According to Chestermere RCMP, a 16-year-old and 17-year-old were taken into custody on March 8, in connection to both the Chestermere pharmacy robbery and an incident in Calgary that took place the day before.
On March 5, RCMP states the girls entered the business on Marina Drive, approached a pharmacy staff member with a firearm, and demanded prescription pharmaceuticals.
"The suspects fled before obtaining the items and before fleeing the store, an altercation took place with staff, resulting in one staff member suffering minor physical injury," RCMP stated. "The suspects then fled the store on foot – direction of travel unknown."
Three days later, as a result of tips from the public in relation to the release of store surveillance images of the suspects, Calgary Police Service's Robbery Unit arrested the two female youths. Both accused have been jointly charged in relation to the Chestermere incident with robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm, disguise with intent, and 266 Assault.
The same two girls were also charged with an attempted arm robbery at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Sage Valley Common in northwest Calgary. One brandished a weapon and attempted to rob the pharmacist of prescription drugs, while the other acted as lookout.
As a result of the investigation into the Calgary incident, the same two female youths have been jointly charged with robbery with a firearm, and disguise with intent.
The 16-year-old has also been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
After a judicial hearing, both accused were released on cash bail with conditions. They are both scheduled to appear in Strathmore Provincial Youth Court on April 19. Their identities cannot be shared in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
