Three young persons have been arrested and an investigation is underway into a robbery in east Regina this morning (December 13th). A vehicle involved in the robbery was followed out of the city and then back into Regina with the incident coming to a close after police surrounded a townhouse residence on 15th Avenue. In all six people were taken into custody, but it isn’t known, at this time, the involvement (if any) of three of the individuals detained.
The incident began when police were dispatched at 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, for a report of a robbery. Preliminary investigation indicated a 19 year-old male had just parked his vehicle near his home on Arens Road when he was approached by two male suspects. One was described as carrying a knife; the other was reported to have a firearm. The suspects demanded the keys to the vehicle, a silver Grand Prix, and then left the area westbound, following a red Ford Focus, also believed to be a stolen vehicle. The victim was not physically harmed in the incident.
A short time later, police spotted both vehicles in the area of University Park Driveand Quance Street. The Grand Prix was abandoned and the Ford Focus fled eastbound, toward the City limits. While some officers followed the fleeing vehicle, others remained to search the area and located a male hiding nearby. The male, a 17 year-old, was taken into custody without incident. The fleeing Ford left the City heading east and was followed by police back into Regina. It was later located in the 2700 block of 15th Avenue. Further investigation and the belief that two suspects in the robbery were inside a resident in the 2700 block of 15th Avenue led police to set up a perimeter in the area. Traffic was diverted on Albert Street between College and 14th Avenues and on 15th Avenue between Rae and McIntyre Streets. No residents were evacuated, but police advised residents, business owners and a nearby school of the situation. Additional police resources, including Crisis Negotiators and Special Weapons and Tactics members were deployed to the scene. In all, there were about 30 police officers and personnel present.
Between 9:40 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. (approximately), a total of five people exited the residence and were taken into custody without incident. Among those apprehended were two suspects matching the descriptions of suspects involved in the robbery and possession of stolen auto incident. They are a 14 year-old female and a 16 year-old male. It is not clear, at this time, if the other individuals in the residence, an adult female and two adult males, had any involvement in these matters.
Investigation is ongoing with charges pending the outcome of the investigation. At this time, police have not recovered any weapons in connection to these incidents.
The Regina Police Service would like to thank the public for its patience this morning, particularly with respect to road closures.
