A Regina man is facing weapons and theft charges after a shoplifting incident in the city’s east end Wednesday.
On Wednesday, at approximately 8:40 pm, Regina Police were dispatched to a retail business on the 1800 block of Victoria Avenue East for a report of shoplifting. Outside the building, during the course of an exchange with an employee, it’s alleged a male suspect pulled a knife and advanced on the employee who retreated and took refuge. Police arrived and did an area check but did not locate the suspect.
Police returned to speak to the victim who gave them information on the suspect’s last-seen location and direction of travel. At approximately 8:55 pm, officers located a person matching the suspect description by a nearby business. The man was taken into custody. He was found to be the subject of a warrant. Further investigation led to charges against the suspect.
27-year-old Jerry Joseph Maertens Jr has been charged with theft under $5,000, assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to public peace.
Maertens made his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon.
