Police deploy police dog to track suspect in armed robbery

A Barrie man allegedly entered Sandy Cove Variety in Innisfil with a knife and demanded money.

South Simcoe police have arrested and charged a man, 46, following an alleged armed robbery in Innisfil on Tuesday.

Police said a man waving a knife entered the Sandy Cove Variety store on Lockhart Road at around 6:45 p.m. and demanded money from the store owner. After the store owner gave the man some cash, he left the store on foot, according to police.

Officers said when they arrived on scene and had set up a perimeter to contain the area, the police service’s police dog, Nash, was put to work. Nash tracked the man to a residence on Flora Drive, police said. Following more investigation, a knife police believed was used in the robbery was found outside the residence.

Authorities said the man was wearing a mask, dark-coloured jacket with the hood up and he was last seen running eastbound on Lockhart Road.

The man is facing five weapons-related charges including robbery and assault with a weapon.

Fortunately, the store owner was not injured and there were no other injuries reported.

The accused remains in custody and will appear in court at a later date.