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By Dylana Kneeshaw

ALLEGED ROBBERY ATTEMPT

Man arrested after allegedly robbing Kamloops gas station with toddler

May 20, 2022 | 12:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — RCMP say an Oliver man has been arrested after allegedly robbing a Kamloops gas station with his toddler.

Police say just after 7 p.m. Thursday (May 19), a Kamloops RCMP officer was conducting a traffic stop in the parking lot of a gas station in the 3200-block of Westsyde Road, when he was alerted to an armed robbery that had just taken place at the gas station.

The suspect allegedly entered the gas station holding the hand of his 3-year-old child, and walked around the store. He eventually approached the cashier’s till and demanded money, while pulling up his shirt and exposing the butt of what appeared to be a gun.

The officer saw the man and his child leave the gas station and located them nearby.

“While it is deeply disturbing that someone would commit a robbery with a child, it is even more concerning that he is alleged to have threatened the officer and used his child as a shield, by putting his child between himself and the officer,” states BC RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet in a release.

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Police say the man eventually released the child, who ran to a nearby family member. After a brief struggle, the man was taken into custody and found to be in possession of a replica firearm.

The 32-year-old is expected to appear in court later today (May 20). Investigative details will be submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges, which may include robbery, uttering threats, breach of a firearms prohibition, and resisting arrest.