Edmonton police have arrested and charged four people after shots were fired during a pawnshop robbery in mid-January.
On Jan. 25 and 27, police arrested Dean Carlton, 31, Nicole Lussier, 31, Waylon Tourangeau, 37, and Courtney Lemke, 35, and charged them with multiple offences, including robbery with a prohibited/restricted firearm, discharge of a firearm and unlawful confinement.
The robbery happened on Jan. 10. Police say at about 6:20 p.m., four people wearing masks and gloves and carrying bags entered a Cash Canada store in the area of 92 Street and 34 Avenue.
“Three customers and three employees were present at the time,” police said. “It was reported to police that one suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded everyone lay on the ground.
“As two store clerks tried running to the back employee area of the store, the gunman fired at them. The employees were not hit and were able to flee.”
WATCH: Police in Edmonton released security video of a violent pawn shop robbery on Jan. 10 with the hope that someone would be able to identify the suspects.
Police said the third employee and the three customers were not able to get away as the suspects smashed a glass display case with jewelry inside before taking what they could and leaving the scene.
“We were concerned the next robbery that happened someone could die,” said EPS Det. Michael Walkom.
“That made this priority number one for us… People have been working around the clock,” Walkom said.
“We’re confident that the risk to public safety from these people has been taken care of.”
He said the main suspects involved have lengthy criminal records.
WATCH: Surveillance video shows Edmonton pawn shop employees shot during robbery on Dec. 16.
This robbery happened just days after police held a news conference about a different armed robbery on 118 Avenue and 46 Street.
“Police continue to investigate whether these suspects are connected to other armed robberies and seek information on the whereabouts of outstanding stolen jewelry,” police said.
However, Walkom said the Jan. 10 robbery was rare.
“This is an anomaly — somebody willing to shoot someone when they do not need to. These aren’t people involved in crime. These are absolutely innocent people who are being shot at and shot, so that is an anomaly. This isn’t something that happens all the time.”
— with files from Phil Heidenreich and Emily Mertz, Global News
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