(Dreamstime)

By Sheldon Spackman

August 2023 Incident

Red Deer man sentenced in Wetaskiwin liquor store robbery with bear spray

Oct 30, 2024 | 2:54 PM

The second of two people charged in a liquor store robbery with bear spray in Wetaskiwin last year has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

Erin Bull, 27, of Red Deer, was sentenced in Wetaskiwin Court of Justice on Oct. 29, 2024, to 1,440 days in jail, less 443 days of pre-trial custody, leaving 997 days left to serve.

Bull was convicted on counts of robbery and disguised with intent, while three other charges were withdrawn.

His co-accused, Eric Vincent Okeymow, 30, a resident of Maskwacis, was previously sentenced to 15 months behind bars, 12 months of probation, and given a 10-year firearm prohibition after being convicted on one count of robbery in Wetaskiwin Court of Justice Sept. 10, 2024. A charge of assault with a weapon was withdrawn on Aug. 16, 2024, following the completion of his trial.

It was on Aug. 22, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., when Wetaskiwin RCMP say they received a 911 call from an employee of a liquor store in Wetaskiwin. Mounties alleged two males entered the store, deployed bear spray in the face of the cashier, and stole multiple bottles of liquor before fleeing the scene.

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Wetaskiwin RCMP attended along with Provincial Emergency Medical Services. Police say the employee was treated for bear spray exposure but was otherwise not injured. Video surveillance of the event was provided to RCMP members. Patrols were made, though Mounties note the suspects were not located.

The following day, Aug. 23, 2023, at approximately 1:20 p.m., members of the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit located a vehicle in which the license plate did not match the vehicle. Members attempted to stop the vehicle, however, it allegedly fled from police.

A short time later, members located the vehicle with a collaborative effort from RCMP Police Dog Services, Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit, Wetaskiwin General Investigation Section and Maskwacis RCMP, who were able to arrest two males and one female.

According to RCMP, further investigation suggested these were the two male suspects that had committed the robbery the day prior.

Eric Okeymow was charged with robbery with other offensive weapon, and assault with weapon.

Erin Bull, meantime, was charged with robbery with other offensive weapon, assault with weapon, weapons possession contrary to order, disguised with intent to commit offence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, flight from peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, TSA drive motor vehicle without holding subsisting operator’s license, TSA drive on a highway a motor vehicle that was not insured; TSA drive motor vehicle without licence plates properly displayed.

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