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Armed robbery at 7-Eleven being investigated

"The clerk did exactly what we expect a clerk to do. You comply with the demands. Public safety is priority here." Bonnyville RCMP Sgt.
RCMP Report 2

"The clerk did exactly what we expect a clerk to do. You comply with the demands. Public safety is priority here."

Bonnyville RCMP Sgt. Kim Hillier commended the actions of a clerk working alone on May 19, who made a snap decision to comply with the demands of a male that had entered the east end 7-Eleven in Bonnyville.

“There was one male working alone when a male wearing black and a face mask entered the store and threw a backpack at the clerk, demanded money from the till, and told the clerk he would shoot him,” described Hillier.

The employee gave the suspect what they wanted, which was $70 in cash, before the male fled the scene in a blue Dodge pick-up.

“The vehicle itself has been identified, found, and seized, while suspects are still outstanding,” Hillier said.

The incident happened around 2:41 a.m., and police are requesting anyone with information to contact the detachment.

Hillier noted even if you were in the area of the 7-Eleven located outside of town around the time of the robbery to give them a call.

"We would like to talk to you, because the suspect vehicle may have been in the area beforehand."

Senior falls victim of scam

Police are reminding the public that no business will require them to pay using iTunes, Google Play, or untraceable cash cards after a Bonnyville senior became the victim of a scam.

On May 21, RCMP were notified a local senior had purchased Google Play gift cards after receiving a fraudulent call.

“She was instructed to buy Google Play cards and, if questioned, she was told to say they were for her grandchildren. This is obviously targeted at seniors or people who might not be as savvy about scams and these types of things,” detailed Hillier.

RCMP continuing to investigate mischief downtown

There was no specific target in mind when suspects drove downtown on May 22 and vandalized multiple businesses.

Bonnyville RCMP are continuing to investigate the mischief to several businesses along main street, where windows were found damaged by ball bearings.

“Because it was a ball bearing and not any type of bullet, we’re thinking a slingshot-type of situation. A wrist slingshot could easily put a ball bearing through a window,” explained Hillier. “We also had someone mention an airsoft-type gun that might be able to project, but there might be noise with that, and there wasn’t noise reported."

Police believe it was a random act.

“I think this was a random, let’s see what happens, vandalism-type offence. There was no attempt to enter the buildings, there was no damage to any building that was occupied at the time, they were all closed businesses, and there was no indication that any person was targeted,” said Hillier.

Even though no one was seriously injured and no businesses were broken into, Hiller stressed police are taking the incident very seriously.

“That investigation is still ongoing, although the lead investigator has some pretty good information or footage on a suspect vehicle,” she said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact RCMP at 780-343-7200.

Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant could be in Bonnyville

Derek Dinhvu Preston is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after failing to comply with the conditions of his release.

RCMP believe he is in the area, and are asking for the public's help locating him.

“He’s a statutory release federal offender,” noted Hillier. “It means he, in layman's terms, isn’t following up with either probation, phone calls he’s supposed to make, or treatment, whatever it is, and I’m not sure. It’s not that he has committed new crimes and is dangerous, he just isn’t’ following through with the conditions he was released on."

Anyone who sees Preston should not approach him and should contact the RCMP immediately.

“We expect him to be in the Bonnyville-area,” detailed Hillier.

Quick thinking and a tip from the public results in arrests

Three males from outside of the area have been arrested and charged after a tip about a suspicious vehicle ended with them behind bars.

Shortly after 7 a.m. on May 23, "one of our young constables responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle that was driving through properties in Bonnyville," described Hillier.

The caller had obtained the license plate and provided it to police, who determined it had been stolen.

"The member located the vehicle at a gas station in town, where they arrested three adult males," Hillier said.

Jason Byers, 47 of Fort Saskatchewan, David Callendar, 35 of Sherwood Park, and Derek Lempke, 35 of Edmonton, were arrested and charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, resisting/obstructing a peace officer, break and enter with intent to a business, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of break-in instruments.

"I think it's pretty clear why they were in our town," Hillier said, adding the tip from the public and the quick response of their officers resulted in their arrest.

"That was a good outcome."

During the officer's investigation, they discovered the vehicle and license plate had been reported stolen.

All three males were released on conditions not to have contact with each other and not to attend the business they had attempted to break into. They are scheduled to appear in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse on Tuesday, July 2.

Callendar was wanted on outstanding warrants out of Sherwood Park and was transported to jail as a result.

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