On December 6, 2016, at approximately 1:30am, Ashern RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station located in Ashern, Manitoba.
Police say that an armed suspect entered the gas station, demanding money and cigarettes from an employee. The suspect, wearing coveralls, white gloves and a green hood, then fled southbound on Highway 6.
Lundar and Ashern RCMP immediately began searching the surrounding area for the suspect vehicle, a red GMC pickup truck. Following extensive patrols of nearby highways, the vehicle could not be located.
On December 7, members of the Ashern RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Lake Manitoba First Nation arena.
Officers attended the scene and determined that an armed suspect had entered the arena and robbed the VLTs. The suspect fled in a vehicle, described as a GMC pickup, prior to officers arriving. No employees of the arena were confronted and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
RCMP searched the surrounding area for the suspect vehicle. Again, following extensive patrols of nearby highways, the vehicle could not be located.
RCMP report that on December 8, a torched GMC pickup was located. Police believe the two robberies are connected and note that there were no injuries in either robbery incident.
Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to contact Lundar RCMP at 204-762-5088 or Manitoba CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES(274637).
