Tear gas deployed in jewelry store robbery, Sunridge Mall evacuated
Posted Aug 1, 2020 3:47 pm.
Last Updated Aug 2, 2020 4:45 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A jewelry store robbery involving tear gas led to the evacuation of Sunridge Mall in the city’s northeast Saturday afternoon.
Acting investigator Scott McCann of the Calgary police told 660 NEWS that tear gas was used during the robbery.
“What we are we reporting is that it was a tear gas canister that was detonated.”
“CCTV video revealed that there were two offenders in the mall – one of the offenders, when he entered the mall, was also carrying a shotgun however there is no indication that the shotgun was used,” McCann said.
Both suspects fled in a beige Mercedes, which is believed to be a stolen vehicle.
“What the CCTV video revealed is that they exited the mall, entered into a beige Mercedes SUV that is showing as a stolen vehicle, and that vehicle was being driven by a white female with pink hair.”
The first suspect is described as a Caucasian male, wearing a “Puma” hoodie with the hood up and a surgical mask covering his face. He also wore blue jeans, white gloves and carried a green shopping bag.
The second suspect was a male, wearing a black motorcycle helmet, black gloves and carried a black duffle bag.
Many people were affected by the gas, and fire and EMS were on the scene to help assist those people.
The mall is expected to be closed until at least Sunday while teams work to decontaminate the gas since it went through the venting system.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Police did not confirm if they have anyone in custody.
