An alleged serial robber who was distinguished by his silence during his crimes, perpetrated in several businesses in Verdun and the surrounding area, was put out of action by the Montreal police officers.
The 38-year-old suspect allegedly committed no less than five armed robberies in the space of just two weeks, between February 18 and March 4, in different businesses in the southwest of the metropolis.
Targeted locations: grocery stores, convenience stores and a pharmacy.
On at least two occasions, the suspect said only a few words to make his intentions clear to the employee. He actually asked for paper and a pencil in order to write a note on which it could be read that it was a “hold-up” and that he had a rifle.
During another event, the suspect, who seems to have a weakness for Loto-Québec scratchers, fled after stealing several lottery tickets from the store. He even pushed the cashier who chased him, knocking her to the ground.
What the robber probably did not know is that he would never have been able to pocket the winnings obtained through his stolen scratch cards, as they had not been activated by the retailer.
Thanks to various pieces of evidence collected at the various crime scenes, investigators were able to identify the perpetrator of this series of robberies, an individual known to police circles.
The suspect was also able to be arrested thanks to two patrol officers in the area who recognized him when they passed him in the street.
The 38-year-old man appeared at the Montreal courthouse on charges of robbery, theft under $5,000 and receiving stolen property. He remained detained following his appearance.
Investigators say they have good reason to believe that the individual could have committed other robberies in the same area in recent weeks.