Three teens arrested, two charged in string of Calgary cannabis store robberies

Two Calgary teenagers are facing charges in multiple cannabis store robberies that happened earlier this year, police say.

Investigators say on Jan. 9. around 9:40 p.m., three suspects posing as customers entered the Four20 dispensary on 16 Avenue.

Officers believe the suspects asked the employee to open one of the displays so they could look at the products, at which time the suspects pushed the employee, grabbed an unknown amount of products, and fled the store.

On Feb. 9, just after 10 p.m., police believe the same three people entered the Four20 on Aviation Road NE and once again, asked to see the products.

The employee opened the display, before the suspects assaulted and restrained them. The group then left the store with an unknown amount of products.

In another instance, on Feb. 23, just after 10 p.m., the same three people entered Highland Buds on Fourth Street NE. Police alleged they went behind the counter to get products, and at the same time, an employee tried to stop the suspects from entering the area. The employee was physically assaulted and the suspects left the store with an unknown amount of products.

Investigators collected CCTV footage and spoke to witnesses and eventually determined the same people were responsible for all the robberies.

On March 19, search warrants were executed on three different homes related to the suspects in Greenview, Huntington Hills, and Beddington, as well as two vehicles believed to have been used in the robberies.

Officers also found three cellphones and clothes believed to have been worn during the crimes.

As a result officers arrested three teenage boys — aged 14, 16, and 17.

Police say the 16-year-old was charged with three counts of robbery and one count of disguise with intent, while the 17-year-old was charged with three counts of robbery.

Both teens are expected to appear in court next month.

The 14-year-old was released as investigators continue to analyze evidence.

Police say the teens can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.