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February 2024 Incidents

Red Deer County man sentenced in local armed robberies

Apr 16, 2024 | 11:39 AM

A central Alberta man has been sentenced to 22 months in jail, less 95 days pre-trial custody, following a pair of armed robberies two months ago.

Shawn Allen Dejongh, 32, of Red Deer County, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on April 9, 2024.

It was on Feb. 6, 2024, shortly after 3:10 p.m., when Red Deer RCMP received a 911 call reporting a robbery with a knife at a convenience store in the Eastview shopping plaza. Police say they responded immediately. However, the male suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle.

Mounties say 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.

Dejongh was arrested and charged in relation to both robberies. Mounties charged Dejongh with two counts of robbery.

Related: Red Deer RCMP arrest male following armed robberies

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