PRINCE ALBERT — Two men are in custody and face multiple criminal charges in connection with a series of six armed robberies targeting convenience stores in Prince Albert over a two-week period in late October and early November.
The investigation, led by Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) Proactive Policing Unit (PPU), resulted in arrests in Prince Albert and Regina.
According to PAPS, the incident began on Oct. 22, when police attended a business in the 600 block of 15th Avenue East for a report of a robbery where two males allegedly approached staff with a knife and demanded money and merchandise before fleeing the scene. Responding officers began to search for the suspects, however, they were not located.
Then on Oct. 28, police were called to the same business for a report of a robbery. Arriving officers learned male entered the business and demanded money and merchandise before fleeing the scene. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but he was not located.
On Oct. 31, at around 11:25 a.m., police were called to a business in the 800 block of 5th Street East for a report of a robbery. Initial information given to police said the store was robbed at knife point. Upon police arrival, officers learned a man entered the store brandishing a knife before fleeing the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. Officers searched the area but weren’t able to locate the suspect.
On Nov. 2, at approximately 11:30 a.m., police were called to a business in the 600 block of 15th Avenue East for a robbery in progress. Upon police arrival the suspect had fled the scene; however, officers were told the suspect confronted staff with a knife and demanded money before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise. There were no physical injuries as a result.
Members of the Forensic Identification Section attended the scene along with a member of the Canine Unit. A K9 track was conducted but was unsuccessful.
While at the previous call, officers were dispatched to another business across the street for a report of a robbery. Officers learned a man with the same description brandished a knife and demanded money, however, eventually fled the scene without any money or merchandise. There were no physical injuries as a result of this incident and it is believed this incident occurred prior to the first call for service.
Then at 8:55 p.m. the same day, officers responded to a business in the 800 block of 5th Street East for a robbery in progress. Initial information stated staff was threatened with a knife but fled the scene in a dark coloured vehicle after being confronted by staff.
Through continued investigation, officers located the vehicle involved travelling westbound on River Street on Nov. 3 Officers were able to arrest the man shortly after. He was later released without charges.
Through further investigation of the six robberies, members of the Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) learned the suspect in all of the occurrences is believed to be the same person. With the assistance of the Crime Reduction Team (CRT), officers were able to locate and arrest a 28-year-old man in Prince Albert on Nov. 6.
Tyson Deschambeault has been charged with six counts each of armed robbery, disguise with intent, and possession of a weapon. He is also charged with two counts of obstructing a police officer. He appeared in Prince Albert Provincial Court on Nov. 10.
Bradon Axel Gibson, 28, was located and arrested by Regina Police Service in Regina on Nov. 12. He has been charged with armed robbery and disguise with intent in relation to one of the robberies in Prince Albert and appeared in Prince Albert Provincial Court by phone from Regina Correctional Centre on Nov. 13.
