Bonnyville and Cold Lake RCMP worked together in apprehending a man after an armed robbery occurred at Bonnyville's Dollar Store and More on July 24.
Fifty-three-year-old Joseph Albert Rodgers was arrested at a roadblock set up by Cold Lake RCMP roughly 45 minutes after he allegedly held a cashier at knifepoint at the Dollar Store in Bonnyville, according to an RCMP press release.
RCMP believe the accused may have been involved in bank robberies in Cold Lake on July 13, and in Ponoka on July 17. The release states that in all three cases a knife was used and cash was stolen.
According to RCMP, a man entered the Dollar Store in Bonnyville at approximately 6 p.m. and proceeded to wander around for a few moments before approaching the cashier and producing a knife. Following a short struggle, the man fled on foot with an undisclosed sum of money.
Following the robbery, Bonnyville RCMP responded with support units, including canine and forensic identification teams. Cold Lake RCMP also assisted by setting up roadblocks and roving patrols in the area. The suspect was intercepted on Highway 28 between Bonnyville and Cold Lake.
Bonnyville RCMP Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi said he was pleased with the effectiveness and the efficiency of the 12-man response unit.
“I am very pleased with the co-operation and response of our members, both in Cold Lake and Bonnyville. This apprehension went as well as we could have hoped and the seamless response from both units was outstanding,” Gandolfi said. “This is a perfect example of a crime that likely wouldn't have been solved without the help of the Cold Lake detachment, so co-operation is crucial. We don't work in silos, we work in co-operation with each other and when things like this go down, there are no boundaries.
“I'm very pleased that we were able to apprehend the individual so soon after the robbery,” Gandolfi said. “What usually happens with these types of files is as time goes by evidence deteriorates, people get further away from the scene etc. So the sooner we can get a lead and run with it, the better.”
Rodgers has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Bonnyville Provincial Court on Aug. 6.
He is facing three counts of armed robbery, two counts of disguising his face with intent to commit an indictable offence and one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
