TORRINGTON – Olds RCMP are looking for two suspects, one male and one female, after the Torrington Hotel was robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday evening.
Hotel owner Alan Fermandes was alone in the hotel bar when the suspects came through the door and the male pointed a long-barrel firearm right at him.
“I was scared,” he said. “They said, ‘Hands up and don’t move’. I just let them take the whole (cashier) till and go. I was in the bar by myself.
“In this economy it is terrible, people are doing things all over the rural areas. Lots of rural crime.”
It was the first time he has been held up in 12 years of owning the facility.
Police were called to the hotel, located at 102 – 1 Ave, at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“The male suspect entered the hotel bar and pointed a long barrel firearm at the staff member and ordered him not to move,” said Olds Staff Sgt. Jim McDonald.
“There were no other people in the bar at the time. The female (suspect) then entered the hotel and both suspects went behind the counter and stole the till containing cash.”
Police did not disclose how much cash was taken.
The suspects then left the bar and fled westbound on Highway 27 in a pickup truck that may be an older white Ford F150, he said.
There were no reported injuries in the hold-up, he said.
The male suspect is described as being 5’5″ to 5’6″ tall, larger build and wearing a red balaclava, black sweater, black pants, brown boots and a dark hat with white emblem.
The female suspect is described as being approximately 5’0″ tall, thin build, and wearing a striped back pack, dark pants, knee high dark boots, dark grey jacket, white balaclava and a black ball cap with white symbol.
The police investigation is continuing and officers are asking anyone with information to contact the Olds RCMP at (403) 556-3323, Crime Stoppers or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com.
