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Police search for suspects in attempted armed robbery and shooting

An armed robbery in Wetaskiwin nearly had a tragic ending after shots were fired at the victim on Monday, Jan. 16.
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An RCMP cruiser.

An armed robbery in Wetaskiwin nearly had a tragic ending after shots were fired at the victim on Monday, Jan. 16.

The robbery, which took place in Wetaskiwin, involved a vehicle stolen from Red Deer, leading Wetaskiwin RCMP to believe the suspects move about central Alberta.

Police were called to the parking lot of the Manuk Centre by a 17-year-old boy who phoned 911 after an attempted robbery and shooting.

According to police, the victim's truck had been approached by an Aboriginal man with "what appeared to be a shotgun" at a location in the south side of the city. The suspect demanded personal items from the victim and his 16-year-old passenger.

The victim "took off," police said, and the suspect got into a black Ford Focus and pursued, cornering the victim and his passenger in the Manuk Centre parking lot.

At that time, police said "occupants of the black Ford Focus then pointed a gun at the young man and other witnesses, then left southbound."

A bullet hole was found in the driver's side door of the victim's truck, which police believe happened when he drove away from the original robbery attempt.

"Fortunately, no one was hurt in this incident," RCMP said.

Unfortunately, the victim did not get a good look at the occupants of the car, which police believe has been found burned out in Maskwacis. Police are "investigating some strong leads" at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to phone the Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7267 or anonymously phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).