Two men in their 20s have been arrested and face multiple charges in connection to an armed robbery in Sarnia, followed by a crime spree involving a third suspect, police say.
Sarnia Police say the suspects attended the Jackpot City gaming facility on Upper Canada Drive on April 24, and approached a victim who was sitting at a gaming machine.
“They sat on opposite sides of the victim and one produced a handgun from his pant pocket,” police said in a news release. “A demand was made of the victim to turn over his winnings, however the victim refused and the males ultimately fled.”
An investigation resulted in the suspects being identified as a 20-year-old and 21-year-old, both of Sarnia.
The 20-year-old is charged with the following, in relation to this attempted robbery:
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order (2 Counts)
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- Firearm – Use While Attempting to Commit and Offence
- Pointing a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Robbery
The 21-year-old is charged with robbery.
“Following the April 24 attempted robbery, the pair continued to commit offences throughout the City of Sarnia,” police added. “Joining them, was a female accomplice who was also charged in relation to these crimes.”
On April 25, 2024 a business in the 300 block of Wellington Street was victimized when a male party entered and went through the aisles collecting items and left without paying.
Again, On April 25, 2024 a female party using the same vehicle involved in the Wellington Street theft, entered a business at 1470 Quinn Drive, filled a shopping cart with items, and left the store without paying.
That same day, the same vehicle attended a business on Williams Drive, filled the car with gasoline and fled without paying.
And finally, at a business at 2600 Lakeshore Road in Brights Grove, the two males filled a shopping cart with groceries and fled the store without paying.
The 20-year-old male is charged with the following offences in relation to the shoplifting and theft occurrences:
- Theft under $5000 (2 counts)
- Fail to Comply with Probation (2 counts)
The 21-year-old suspect is charged with the following offences in relation to the shoplifting and theft occurrences:
- Theft under $5000
The female suspect, age 21, is charged with the following in relation to the shoplifting and theft:
- Theft under $5000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
“It should be noted that [the female suspect] currently has 14 previous counts of Theft under $5000 presently before the courts,” police said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, suspect and vehicle information was shared with neighbouring police services. During the evening of April 25, 2024, Lambton County OPP located the vehicle at a Confederation Line residence (near Mandaumin Road). The two males were taken into custody by the OPP. A pellet gun, resembling a firearm, was located within the vehicle at that time.
Subsequent investigation by the Sarnia Police resulted in a search warrant being executed at this residence, resulting in the following seizures:
- 309 grams of cocaine
- 56 grams of fentanyl
- $3400 in cash
- A .38 calibre handgun
The street value of the drugs seized is $39,300.
Criminal charges in relation to the search warrant at Confederation Line are pending as police continue their investigation into this matter.