An unidentified male entered the 7-11 convenience store in the early morning hours on Tuesday, demanding money and cigarettes after producing a knife.
Shortly before 1:30 a.m., a male entered the store located at Carey Road and Tillicum Road and produced a knife, described as a switchblade. The suspect demanded cash and cigarettes from the staff member. Staff complied with the demands and the male fled on foot on Tillicum Road towards the Trans Canada Highway.
The staff member involved was the same person that was working during a previous robbery that occurred on June 25. Another staff member, who was at the store at the time of this incident, was in a storage room and did not hear or see the events unfold. No staff or other witnesses were injured during this incident.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, in his mid 20’s, average height and build. The male was wearing dark sunglasses, a black balaclava style mask covering his face, a black hooded sweatshirt and white knee length shorts at the time of the robbery.
There have been three such incidents in recent months, the previous two occurring on June 25 and July 15. Although it cannot be stated conclusively, it would appear that the June 25 robbery and this incident have striking similarities. It is a strong possibility that the person responsible for this incident was also involved in the incident from June.
Saanich Police have obtained video surveillance footage from this incident. It is hoped that information from the footage will lead to the identification and arrest of the individual responsible. The footage from this incident will not be released at this time and is still being reviewed by the investigators for possible leads.
Anyone with information on any of the robberies are asked to contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
File 2013-18540
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158