Armed suspect robs Port Alberni convenience store twice in one day: police

A knife-wielding thief is believed to be behind a series of robberies in Port Alberni that saw a convenience store robbed twice in one day after it was burglarized the week before, RCMP say.

Mounties were called to the 7-Eleven on Redford Street near 10th Avenue around 3:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, following a report that a suspect wearing a blue ski mask and armed with a knife had robbed the store.

The suspect fled before police arrived on scene, according to RCMP in a news release.

Then around 5:40 p.m., officers were called to the King Edward Liquor store on 3rd Avenue after a suspect, also wearing a ski mask and armed with a knife, had attempted to rob the business before fleeing.

By 7:10 p.m., police were called back to the 7-Eleven on Redford Street after the store was robbed again by a ski mask-clad, knife-brandishing suspect who proceeded to flee the scene.

That’s the third robbery at the store in less than one week.

Police say the suspect’s behaviour and description matched that of an earlier robbery at the same 7-Eleven on Nov. 27, when, at around 10 p.m., a male suspect wearing a ski mask allegedly produced an edged weapon and demanded money.

He then fled with the undisclosed amount of cash, RCMP said at the time.

“Fortunately, no one at the locations has been injured in these incidents, however, they are highly traumatizing, placing employees and the public at risk,” RCMP added in the release.

“Port Alberni detachment is investigating these incidents and seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect through direct knowledge, dash camera or private video that may assist.”

Anyone with information about the series of robberies is asked to Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424.

A mask-wearing suspect accused in a robbery at a Port Alberni 7-Eleven on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, is shown in a surveillance image. (Port Alberni RCMP)

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