Red Deer RCMP have arrested a male and laid charges following two recent armed robberies.
On Feb. 6, 2024, shortly after 3:10 p.m., Red Deer RCMP received a 911 call reporting a robbery with a knife at a convenience store in the Eastview shopping plaza. Police responded immediately, however the male suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle. A search for the male was conducted, with the assistance of Police Dog Services (PDS). Red Deer RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) continued the investigation, which revealed the suspect had taken a small amount of cash before fleeing.
Later the same day, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Red Deer RCMP responded to another 911 call reporting a robbery with a knife, at a gas station in Deer Park. RCMP attended the location immediately. The male suspect had fled the location in a vehicle after taking a small amount of cash. General duty police, along with PDS, searched for the male suspect, but were unable to locate him.
Red Deer RCMP GIS took over investigation into both of these incidents and determined they were related. Video surveillance from one of the locations led police to identify the male suspect and vehicle used.
Red Deer RCMP GIS, Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Downtown Patrol Unit (DPU) executed a search warrant at a residence just south of city limits, where they also located the suspect vehicle. Police located and seized items used in the commission of the robberies, including the knife and clothing worn by the suspect. Police also recovered stolen cash.
Shawn Dejongh, a 32 year-old male resident of Red Deer County, has been arrested and charged in relation to both robberies. Dejongh has been charged with two counts of Robbery. Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Dejongh was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on Feb. 12, 2024.
If you have information that will assist the RCMP you are asked to call the Red Deer City RCMP at 403-343-5575, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
