Westlock RCMP arrested a local man earlier this month in connection with an armed robbery in Spruce Grove.
According to an RCMP media release, at about 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, RCMP responded to a call of an armed robbery at the Wal-Mart in Spruce Grove.
A man approached the pharmacy counter with his face covered and demanded all the narcotics while showing the clerk a handgun. The clerk handed over the drugs, and the man left through a fire exit without anyone getting hurt.
A witness reported seeing the getaway vehicle leave the parking lot, and police immediately started a search.
The vehicle was located in Westlock, and local RCMP made the arrest without incident.
Westlock resident Ivon Tyler Rufiange, 37, faces charges of robbery with a firearm and disguise with intent to commit an indictable offense. Rufiange made his first appearance in Stony Plain Provincial Court on Wednesday, Aug. 24, and reserved his election and plea until Sept. 7, according to Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP Const. Barbara Roy.
She added that this type of violent crime is relatively rare in that detachment area, but not unheard of.
“The last one we had was at a rural bank; we don’t have that many at all,” she said.
Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Bryan Clayton confirmed Westlock members assisted the Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP by making the arrest.
“There was a description of a vehicle and suspects who stand out,” he said. “Our members were on shift and did some checking. They located the suspect and arrested him.”
