EDMONTON – Contrary to some media reports, charges have not been laid in the robbery of an armoured truck on Thursday, Edmonton Police Spokesperson Clair Seyler says.
However, several people are being interviewed in connection with the case.
Police were called to the Century Casino at 131 Avenue and Fort Road around 2 pm after reports of a robbery.
Two workers of the G4S private security company who were at the casino collecting a package. The thief allegedly pepper sprayed one of the workers, and grabbed the bag of cash before jumping into a black Jeep being driven by an accomplice.
A window washer who witnessed the robbery, but didn’t want to be identified, says he was shocked by what he saw.
“It’s like, ‘Holy Christ! This is happening, this isnt’ a movie. It takes a second to realize what was going on,” said the witness, who tried chasing down the suspect. “Part of you is ‘do the right thing.’ If the guard, if enough of us had tackled him we could’ve perhaps subdued him, but I’m not going to take him on myself.”
After fleeing the scene, the robbers reportedly dumped their getaway car, and were reportedly seen getting into a white utility vehicle, possibly an Avalanche or Escalade, heading westbound on 66th Street.
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The abandoned car was recovered by police nearby at 136 Avenue and 62 Street. Police spent the afternoon searching it, speaking with witnesses, and closely examining the casino security footage, however, the suspects are still on the loose.
“From my perspective, I think it’s brazen,” said Detective Ronald Gamble at the scene. “First of all, to do it at this time of day with so many people around, but at the same token, I believe it was well planned.”
The robber was wearing all black, and had his face covered with a black toque and scarf. He’s believed to be about 6’2-6’3, and about 200 pounds. There’s currently no description of his accomplice.
Casino management haven’t revealed how much money was stolen, but say they’re shocked by the incident and are looking into their security practices.
“Certainly when something like this happen we take it extremely seriously as we should and so do the Edmonton Police Service, so there’s reviews that are underway,” said Century Casino’s Dan Keene.
This isn’t the first heist to happen outside a casino in our city, though. Back in May 1999, a Loomis guard was robbed at West Edmonton Mall’s Palace Casino. The guard was carrying more than $100,000 at the time. A Quebec man who was already serving a 30 year sentence in Quebec was charged in connection with the theft.
Anyone with information on Thursday’s robbery is asked to contact the EPS complaint line at 780-423-4567.
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