2 charged in connection with armed robbery of vehicle in northern Alberta

Lights on a parked police vehicle flash at scene of a shooting in Philadelphia, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Matt Rourke

Two people are facing charges in relation to the armed robbery of a vehicle north of Edmonton early Monday morning.

Mounties responded to a call about a Wabasca resident who was being held at gunpoint while two people stole their vehicle. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and went into a highway pursuit, according to a news release from Tuesday.

During the chase, RCMP say a passenger pointed a firearm out of the vehicle at police. The car was eventually stopped in Calling Lake after a tire deflation device was deployed.

The passenger, a 26-year-old Wabasca woman, is said to have stayed in the vehicle. A 28-year-old man from Calling Lake fled the scene. A warrant for his arrest was issued Tuesday.

An updated news release Thursday says Mounties located the man on Bigstone Cree Nation. There, he was searched and found to have 44 grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of cocaine and a variety of pills.

The woman now faces charges of robbery with a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a firearm while prohibited, failure to comply with probation and other firearm-related offences.

The man faces the same charges plus five others of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Both remain in custody with appearances in court set for Wednesday and Monday, respectively.