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Airdrie man arrested after robbery, arson near Wetaskiwin

An Airdrie man was arrested following a reported armed robbery and arson incident near Wetaskiwin on May 4. According to Wetaskiwin RCMP, the robbery occurred at 12:55 p.m., at the Rexall Drugs in Millet, Alta.

An Airdrie man was arrested following a reported armed robbery and arson incident near Wetaskiwin on May 4.

According to Wetaskiwin RCMP, the robbery occurred at 12:55 p.m., at the Rexall Drugs in Millet, Alta.

“Three young males entered the store, two of them had firearms," a news release from the detachment stated. “They stole prescription drugs valued at over $3,000.

“Fortunately, numerous witnesses informed police the licence plate of a brown vehicle that sped from the area. Police responded immediately to the scene and began patrols looking for suspects." 

No one was hurt during the robbery, according to RCMP, and the three males are believed to have split up afterward.

“One male continued in a brown car back towards Millet, and the other two fled in an older blue SUV West towards [Highway 2],” the release stated.

Shortly afterward in Wetaskiwin County, a separate witness noted a male in a brown car on the side of the road, according to RCMP. Then, a fire started, which grew into a small bush fire.

“Wetaskiwin Fire Services promptly attended and put out the blaze,” the release stated. "While patrolling in the area of the fire, police located the suspect vehicle, which fled from police. A pursuit was initiated.

“The suspect vehicle led police in a chase for over 30 kilometres and the pursuit ended with the use of a Tire Deflation Device. Police Dog Services and the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team, as well as members from Leduc and Maskwacis detachments, all assisted with the pursuit, resulting in the arrest of one male.”

As a result of the investigation, Beckham Terrence Rawcliffe, a 19-year-old from Airdrie, faces multiple charges, including robbery with an offensive weapon, two counts of resisting and obstructing arrest, mischief under $5,000, arson and flight from police.

He also faces charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, using a firearm in commission of an offence, three counts of failure to comply with a release order, failure to remain at the scene after a motor vehicle collision, among other charges.

Two other suspects remain outstanding. They are described as Caucasian males, standing between 5'3" and 5'6" and being between 18 and 25 years old. They wore all black during the robbery and drove an older blue SUV. Police consider the two outstanding suspects to be armed and dangerous.

According to Wetaskiwin RCMP, Rawcliffe was brought before a Justice of the Peace following his arrest and was remanded into custody. He was scheduled to appear in court in Wetaskiwin on May 13.

“This was a fantastic example of alert neighbours and community calling police when they see something suspicious” stated Cst. Shaun Marchand of the Wetaskiwin RCMP, in the press release.  “The success in locating and arresting the accused and providing critical information for this investigation has everything to do with members of the public recognizing something was out of places in three separate occasions.”


Airdrie Today Staff

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