An Oliver man is expected in court later today after allegedly robbing a gas station in the presence of his 3-year-old child.
Just after 7 p.m. on May 19, 2022 a frontline officer from the Kamloops RCMP was conducting a traffic stop in parking lot of a gas station in the 3200-block of Westsyde Road when he was alerted to an armed robbery that had just occurred at the same gas station.
The suspect had allegedly entered the gas station holding the hand of his small child and after walking around the store, approached the counter and demanded money. During the course of the robbery, the suspect had pulled up his shirt, exposing the butt of what appeared to be a firearm.
The officer had seen the man and his child depart the gas station lot and located them nearby.
S/Sgt. Janelle Shoihet states, “While it is deeply disturbing that someone would commit a robbery with a child, it is even more concerning that he is alleged to have threatened the officer and used his child as a shield, by putting his child between himself and the officer.”
The man eventually released the child who ran to a nearby family member. After a brief struggle the man was taken into custody and found to be in possession of a replica firearm.
The 32-year-old man is expected to appear in court later today. Initial investigative details will be submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of appropriate charges, which may include robbery, uttering threats, breach of a firearms prohibition and a resisting arrest.