Sudbury murder suspect arrested following convenience store robbery

Sudbury murder suspect arrested A Sudbury man wanted in connection to a murder on Tuesday has been arrested.

Greater Sudbury Police have arrested first-degree murder suspect Kyle Smith, following a K9 track in the area of Falconbridge Road on Thursday evening.

Smith, 32, is wanted in connection with a Sept. 7 incident in which a 30-year-old man was killed after being stabbed and intentionally run over by a car.

He was located following a convenience store robbery Thursday evening that saw three victims sent to hospital after being pepper-sprayed.

The owner of the store, Variety Plus, did not want be identified but told CTV’s Alana Everson he was working Thursday evening when the robbery happened.

He and his wife and their small children -- ages two and four -- were all peppered sprayed, requiring three of them to be treated in hospital.

Police said they arrested a woman in connection with the robbery.

“The woman is connected to wanted party Kyle Smith, who was seen in the area at the time of the robbery,” police said in a news release.

“Information provided was that two individuals entered the convenience store, threatened the employee, pepper sprayed multiple people inside the store and stole various items before fleeing the area on foot prior to police arrival,” police said.

A K9 track of the area was set up to track the two robbery suspects.

“As a result of the track, the items that were stolen were recovered and the 20-year-old woman believed to be involved in the robbery was located on Donwood Avenue,” police said.

“She was arrested without incident and transported to police headquarters.”

Police confirm just more than four hours, later Smith was located, thanks to a drone-like device police employed during the search.

“Around 9:30 p.m. our remotely piloted aircraft system spotted Kyle Smith in the area of Falconbridge Road in a wooded area,” police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn said. “Our emergency response unit attuned the area and placed him under arrest.”

Smith is wanted in a fatal hit-and-run that happened around 2:30 a.m. Sept. 7 near the intersection of Lasalle Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue.

Police said the driver of a red four-door Dodge Magnum and the victim got into a fight in the parking lot of the Esso gas station at the New Sudbury intersection, resulting in the 30-year-old first being stabbed and then run over.

Smith was officially identified as the suspect in the case and on Wednesday.

Smith faces a number of charges including first-degree murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police said they will not be releasing the name of the 30-year-old victim of the stabbing and fatal hit and run out of respect for the family’s wishes.