Axe-wielding robber receives four-year sentence

By Nigel Maxwell

A man who walked into a Prince Albert pharmacy with an axe and proceeded to demand money and drugs has received a four-year prison sentence.

Nathan Greyeyes, 34, appeared by video when his case was discussed Wednesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

The facts were actually read in court on Tuesday during a bail hearing, but Greyeyes, who was representing himself, interrupted the proceedings and indicated a desire to enter pleas. The judge responded by adjourning the case one day.

On the morning of Oct. 29, Greyeyes entered the West Hill-area business by way of the front door while wearing a mask. He told a staff member to open the safe and also demanded hydromorphone and dilaudid.

When the staff member refused, Greyeyes swung the axe at them, missed, and hit the counter. He then fled on foot. Thanks to security camera footage, and footprints left in the snow, police were able to track and arrest Greyeyes at a nearby residence.

When given the opportunity to speak, he explained he was high on fentanyl.

“I made the wrong choice to do that,” he confessed.

At this point, a family member who was present in court spoke out and said Greyeyes hears voices.

“I believe they’re real,” Greyeyes responded. “There’s more than one realm.”

In 2019, Greyeyes was diagnosed as having schizophrenia and takes injections every two weeks.

While his childhood upbringing in Prince Albert was described as good, it was also revealed that during his teenage years Greyeyes began experimenting with drugs.

The two family members, who were identified as his parents, sat in the first row. Wiping away tears, his mother told the judge they’d done all they could for their kids.

“Crystal meth is the worst thing,” she said, crying, noting a feeling of helplessness while watching her son spiral downward.

Describing the circumstances of the offence as extremely grave, the judge stated staff working at pharmacies are particularly vulnerable. The judge also encouraged Greyeyes to seek out the programming that’s provided at the penitentiary.

Following his release from custody, he will be prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives for a period of 10 years.