Local RCMP is on the lookout for two suspects involved in a robbery at Sylvestre's Source for Sports this past weekend that saw several long-barreled rifles stolen – the second time guns have been stolen in the region in less than a week.
According to an RCMP press release, at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, two male suspects used a stolen truck to ram through the front doors of the store in Bonnyville. The individuals entered the store and loaded between 10 and 15 long-barreled rifles into the vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The vehicle used in the robbery – a dark coloured SUV that RCMP said resembled a GMC Yukon was later found abandoned on Gurneyville Road. The report states that the vehicle's ignition had been tampered with and the vehicle had been reported as stolen from Bonnyville. Police believe it is possible that the suspects transferred the stolen firearms to another vehicle before fleeing the scene.
According to a spokesperson at Sylvestre's Source For Sports, the store was closed on Monday as employees dealt with the clean-up but will be open again Feb. 25.
This incident comes on the back of a similar early-hour robbery at Warehouse Sports in St. Paul on Family Day that resulted in the theft of nine handguns. In both incidents the suspects rammed a vehicle into the store to gain entrance.
Both matters are still under investigation by both the Bonnyville and St. Paul RCMP and at this time it is unknown whether or not the incidents are connected.
Anybody with any information regarding the incident in Bonnyville is encouraged to contact local RCMP at 780-343-7200.
