The RCMP have released a surveillance image and composite sketch of a suspect they believe was involved in a string of incidents in which narcotics were stolen from drug stores in Leduc.
The plea for help from the public to catch the suspect came just hours after the latest robbery.
The RCMP said that at 10:10 a.m., a suspect pointed a knife at a pharmacist at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy before making off with an undisclosed amount of prescription drugs.
According to police, the same person is believed to be behind a robbery at the Healthcheck Pharmacy in Leduc on Feb. 26. They said in that case, the suspect also entered the pharmacy with a weapon and demanded prescription drugs.
Mounties also believe the same suspect may be behind the theft of drugs at the Leduc Co-Op Pharmacy on Feb. 10. Shortly before 11 a.m. that day, police said a man went behind the counter at the pharmacy and took five bottles of narcotics. In that case, police said a weapon was not seen and nobody was threatened.
“The actions of this individual are escalating,” Const. Mark Bovaird said.
“We are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this male in order for us to put a stop to these incidents, for everyone’s safety.”
The suspect is described as being five-foot-seven and 145 pounds. Police said he has a mole under his left eye and in the most recent robbery, was wearing a grey hoodie, grey toque and black sweatpants.
Anyone with information about the suspect or any of the robberies or thefts is asked to call the Leduc RCMP detachment at 780-980-7267 or their local police detachment.Tips can also be anonymously submitted by Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 or online.