Saskatoon police officers respond to four armed robberies at grocery stores

Police in Saskatoon responded to a series of armed robberies at grocery stores over the weekend, leading to three arrests.

Officers were called to a store on Primrose Drive at 6 p.m. on Friday after a man reportedly threatened loss-prevention officers with a knife when they confronted him about a theft.

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“The suspect returned the stolen items and fled the store prior to police arrival,” the Saskatoon Police Service said in a statement.

“He is described as being approximately 30 years old with a goatee and leg tattoos. The suspect was wearing a white shirt with a black bunnyhug, camouflage shorts, a yellow hat and black shoes.”

The second incident saw officers called to a store on 22nd Street West at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday.

“A man had reportedly deployed bear spray towards (loss-prevention officers) inside the business, before fleeing on foot with stolen goods,” police said.

“The suspect was located in the 100 block of Avenue Y South and arrested without incident.”

The 20-year-old man is now facing four charges of assault along with a pair of weapons charges.

The third robbery happened just before 5 p.m. on Sunday at a store on Confederation Drive.

“Two women were reportedly observed shoplifting and deployed bear spray toward security officers upon being taken into custody,” police said.

“Both women were found to be in possession of bear spray and one also had a knife on her person. Stolen clothing was also seized from the suspects and returned to a sporting goods store, also in the 300 block of Confederation Drive.”

The women, ages 26 and 29, are facing charges of robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon and breach of court-ordered conditions.

The fourth incident happened just a few hours later, when officers were called to a store on Wellman Crescent for a reported theft.

According to police, a man left the store’s self checkout without paying, and threatened the store’s security guards with a knife when they confronted him. A guard was able to recover the stolen items and the knife before the man took off on a bicycle, police said.

“Police are searching for the known suspect who is charged with robbery, assault and two weapons-related offences,” police said.