By Sheldon Spackman

Red Deer men charged in rural armed robberies

Mar 13, 2019 | 2:16 PM

Two Red Deer men are behind bars after RCMP charged them in connection with three separate armed robberies in the Bashaw and Innisfail area this past week.

“Bashaw, Innisfail, Red Deer City RCMP detachments, as well as the Red Deer and Innisfail General Investigation Sections all worked together to bring these incidents to a quick and successful conclusion,” says Sgt. Bruce Holliday, Detachment Commander of the Bashaw RCMP, in a press release. “I am very proud of our members who work together to keep our communities safe.”

On Mar.9, at approximately 4:35 p.m., Bashaw RCMP responded to an armed robbery at the Whistle Stop Gas Station near Mirror.

On Mar. 10, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Innisfail RCMP responded to an armed robbery at the Fas Gas in Pine Lake.

On Mar. 11, at approximately 9:10 p.m., Bashaw RCMP responded to an armed robbery at the Bugtussel Bar in Alix

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At approximately 10:00 p.m., shortly after the robbery in Alix, Red Deer City RCMP are said to have intercepted the suspect vehicle and placing the adult male passenger under arrest.

According to police, the adult male driver was arrested after a short foot chase. 

Garnet Lawrence Benn, 55, of Red Deer, has been charged with six counts of pointing a firearm, three counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, three counts of use of a firearm in commission of an offence, three counts of Possess a firearm while prohibited, two counts of uttering threats and possession of stolen property under $5,000.

Police say Benn has been remanded into custody and will be appearing in Red Deer Provincial Court on Mar. 13 and in Stettler Provincial Court on Mar. 14 to answer to the Mirror and Alix matters.

Ryan Wraight, 37, of Red Deer, has been charged with six counts of pointing a firearm, three counts of robbery with a firearm, three counts of possessing a weapon dangerous to the public, three counts of Use of a firearm in the commission of an offence, two counts of uttering threats and one count of possession of stolen property under $5,000.

RCMP say Wraight has also been remanded into custody to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on Mar. 25, and in Stettler Provincial Court Mar. 28 to answer to the Mirror and Alix matters.

As these matters are now before the court, Mounties say no further details will be available.

If you have information about this incident, you’re asked to call Bashaw RCMP at 780-372-3793, Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or call your local police.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

(With files from Bashaw and Innisfail RCMP)