Update from Wetaskiwin RCMP:

 

Following two different robberies on Nov. 29, the brandishing of a firearm and a pursuit which led to a stolen semi truck, charges have been laid against three suspects.

Nicholas Page Stocco (21), Deven Alfonso Richardson (25) and Chantal Vossler (22) have all been charged with:

  • robbery with an imitation firearm, robbery,
  • possession of an imitation firearm dangerous to public,
  • use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence,
  • fraud under $5,000 (x2) and
  • possession of stolen property over $5,000 (x2).

Stocco faces further charges of:

  • flight from police (x2)
  • dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (x2),
  • drive while disqualified (x2),
  • fail to remain at the scene of an accident,
  • disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence 
  • fail to comply with conditions (x8).

All three remain in custody.  Richardson and Vossler are to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court next on December 10 and Stocco is scheduled to appear on December 12.   

 

From the Wetaskiwin RCMP:

On November 29th, 2019 at 7:40 pm the Leduc RCMP were called to the Premium Outlet Collection Mall where a woman had been assaulted and her purse stolen.  A short time later, at approximately 8:40 pm police were called to a robbery at a liquor store in Millet. Two suspects entered the store brandishing a firearm and demanding money. The victims of both crimes reported to police that the suspects fled in a grey Ford F150 pick up truck. 

Based on the description of the suspect vehicle provided by the victims, police determined that the same individuals were responsible for both crimes and the suspect vehicle was stolen. While on route to the liquor store police located the suspect vehicle and began to pursue. 

The suspect vehicle was pursued to Highway 2, south of Leduc, where police were able to successfully deploy a spike belt. The suspect vehicle lost all four tires but continued to travel at low speed, on only tire rims, northbound on the highway. The vehicle then crossed over the median into the southbound lanes where it collided with a semi tractor-trailer. 

After the collision, three individuals exited the suspect vehicle and fled on foot. Two of the individuals were quickly apprehended by police however a third suspect, seeing that the semi truck driver had exited his vehicle, got into the semi truck and fled.

Police pursued the truck for approximately 25 km, during which it crossed the median and briefly drove northbound in the southbound lanes. 

It then crossed back over the median continuing north in the northbound lanes. The truck then came to a stop when the brakes locked. Police immediately apprehended the suspect who was taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured during the pursuit or the collision. 

Due to the quick actions and coordinated efforts by Maskwacis, Wetaskiwin and Leduc RCMP and the Central Alberta District RCMP Crime Reduction Unit the risk to motorists during the incident was low and police were successful in apprehending three dangerous individuals. 

A multitude of criminal charges will be laid against two males and one female. Once the information is sworn an update will be provided.