Police in Fort McMurray charge liquor store staff with robberies

Article content

Police say five Fort McMurray residents charged with robbing two Ace Liquor stores in Fort McMurray were, at the time, current or former employees of the stores. Three people have been arrested and warrants have been issued for the arrest of two more people.

Article content

One of the employees had already been arrested and charged with dozens of instances of fraud allegedly committed at his second job.

At least five robberies were reported between May 4 and June 1 at the Ace Liquor stores on Signal Road and Real Martin Drive. Police say the suspects stole cash from registers and safes, as well as liquor bottles. The loss is valued at more than $15,000.

During a May 23 robbery at the Real Martin Drive location, an employee was tied to a chair so they could not alert police. After the suspects left, the employee rolled themselves out of the store. A passerby helped the employee and police were called.

No one was injured physically during any of the robberies. The location on Real Martin Drive closed after a driver crashed into the store on July 14.

Article content

Staff Sergeant Sabrina Clayton, a spokesperson for Alberta RCMP, alleged in an interview the five suspects knew each other and were working together. 

Police have charged Jonathan Mercredi, 39, with robbery, disguise with intent and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Jasmeet Singh, 21, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and extortion. Guraman Singh, 19, has been charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, extortion and public mischief.

Police are looking for Daksh Jain, 22, and Harshdeep Singh, 21. Singh has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and extortion. Jain is charged with robbery, extortion and possessing property obtained by crime.

Article content

Police also say Jain accessed the personal information of multiple people while working at the Mobile Shop at the downtown Superstore.

Investigators say the information was used to open new, fraudulent accounts for mobile devices without the existing client’s consent or knowledge. He than allegedly kept the devices. Police say the reported loss was more than $60,000. The fraud was committed between February and April, than reported to police on May 10.

Jain was charged with 59 counts of identity fraud and two counts of fraud over $5,000. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice on Aug. 28.

Mercredi and both Singhs were also released from police custody. Mercredi is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice on Feb. 26, both Singhs are expected to make an appearance on Aug. 28.

Anyone with information about any missing people or criminal activity is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Tips to Crime Stoppers are always anonymous and can be sent to p3tips.com.

Get the news and events of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo in your inbox every Friday morning by signing up for our newsletter.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com

Article content