1 charged in series of thefts from Red Deer gas stations

The RCMP detachment in Red Deer, Alta. (Miriam Valdes-Carletti/CTV News Edmonton)

A man has been charged in a string of robberies in Red Deer last week.

The 20-year-old Innisfail man has been charged with robbery and two counts of theft under $5,000 in the robberies of three Red Deer gas stations on Oct. 3.

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Police say the first crime happened shortly before 5 p.m. at a gas station in the Deer Park neighbourhood.

A man reportedly went into the gas station, walked behind the counter, and took all the paper money from the cash register before leaving the store.

About five minutes after the first 911 call came in, police got a call from a gas station in the Eastview area reporting a similar incident.

In both cases the thief didn’t say anything to anyone, and no violence was reported, RCMP said.

At 5:15 p.m. police got a call from a gas station in the Parkvale neighbourhood, reporting a man had gotten into a fight with an employee after taking money from the register and trying to leave.

Police say the same person was responsible for all three thefts.

The accused has been released on conditions with a court date of Oct. 24.