Preliminary hearing scheduled for man charged in Blackfalds armed robbery

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a man charged in a Blackfalds armed robbery earlier this year. 

Joshua Robert Sweeney, 30, will see in Red Deer Court of Justice on March 23, 2027, if his case has enough evidence to go to trial. 

It was on March 6, 2026, at 6:49 a.m. when Blackfalds RCMP received a report of a robbery at the Chevron Gas station on Vista Trail in Blackfalds. 

Mounties say their investigation revealed that two masked men in winter clothing and one carrying what appeared to be a handgun entered the store and allegedly stole cash and cigarettes. According to police, the suspects were last seen crossing Vista Trail and were believed to have fled in a vehicle.