Armed robbery suspect apprehended after scuffle with security at Sault business

An undated exterior photo of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Division 2 building. (Sault Ste. Marie Police Service/Facebook)

A 22-year-old local man faces more than a dozen charges after an alleged armed robbery and struggle with security guards at a downtown Sault Ste. Marie business last week.

Police said members of the Division 2 Unit responded to a 911 report of a robbery at a business in the 200 block of Bay Street shortly before 11:20 a.m. on March 4.

“Officers were dispatched to the business, where they located the accused in custody of security guards,” the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said in a release Monday.

Police said that the confrontation began when security guards confronted the man about attempting to steal merchandise.

“The accused had also damaged property belonging to the business,” added police said.

Investigators said that the physical altercation escalated when the man pushed the security guards.

He was taken into police custody at the scene without further incident.

A subsequent search of the suspect uncovered a concealed handgun, break-in instruments and approximately 7.9 grams of suspected fentanyl. Officers also located a credit card and a cheque that did not belong to him on his person.

As a result, the accused is charged with robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm and transporting a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition in a careless manner.

Additional charges include mischief, drug possession, possession of break-in instruments, unauthorized possession of a credit card, possession of property obtained by crime and another firearm related offence.

The accused is also charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to aprohibition order, two counts of failing to comply with a probation order and three counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing.