Three suspects charged in string of smash-and-grab robberies across Calgary

Three people are facing charges after a series of smash-and-grab robberies across Calgary, including one caught on camera where suspects crashed a pickup truck through the front of a vape shop.

Calgary police began investigating after officers were called a vape store near Heritage Drive and Elbow Drive SW on Wednesday for reports of a robbery.

Police say suspects smashed the front door of the store and stole a number of items before fleeing the area in a Honda Civic. Patrol officers spotted the car 15 minutes later and three people were arrested.

After reviewing evidence, investigators were able to connect the trio to a number of other break and enters where suspects smashed through the front of businesses.

Police allege the same suspects were involved in robbing a vape store in the northwest community of Montgomery in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, a pharmacy in the southeast community of McKenzie Towne in the early morning hours of Feb. 16, a vape store near 17 Avenue SE and 52 Street SE in the early morning hours of March 12, and a bar near 52 Street NE and 16 Avenue NE in the early morning hours of March 14.

CityNews obtained dramatic security footage of the March 12 incident where a pickup truck can be seen crashing through the store’s front window.

Police also connected two of the suspects to a shoplifiting incident that happened on Jan. 13 in Calgary’s northwest near Marlborough Mall.

“In each one of these incidents, the suspects not only stole products from local Calgary businesses, but caused significant damage in doing so,” says CPS Acting Staff Sgt. Jake Debolt.

Calgary police say 51-year-old Cory Mitchell King is facing eight charges including five counts of break and enter, 31-year-old Gloria Michelle Bignell is facing five charges including three counts of break and enter, and 50-year-old Marnie Johnston has been charged with one count of break and enter.