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Man accused in liquor store robbery to stand trial

Aug 2, 2018 | 9:48 AM

A man accused in a liquor store robbery near Rocky Mountain House has set a trial date.

Cruz Bigchild, 21, faces several charges including flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, theft under $5000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, operation of a motor vehicle when disqualified, two counts of assault of a peace officer with a weapon, and eight counts of failure to comply with recognizance.

On May 4 of this year Rocky RCMP asked for the public’s help to locate Bigchild. He was eventually located and arrested on May 28 after he allegedly participated in a robbery the day before.

On May 27, Mounties responded to a robbery at a store near Highway 22, where suspects entered the store and took several bottles of liquor. They then fled in a Dodge Ram, which had been involved in a carjacking near Olds.

Police located the vehicle travelling eastbound on Highway 752, and a pursuit followed. Police deployed a spike belt, which the suspects avoided. The vehicle then rammed into a police vehicle to change directions, and followed by stopping south of Highway 11 on Highway 734. The two suspects were arrested without further incident.

Bigchild’s trial for the robbery is scheduled for April 8, 2019 in Rocky Mountain House Provincial Court. He’ll also stand trial on October 30, 2018 for separate charges.