Smithers RCMP have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in relation to two brazen robberies in Smithers over the past week.
Police are pursuing charges against the man after separate robberies at a gas station store and a Main Street parking lot.
The first incident took place on Halloween afternoon at the Copperside Foods store, which is inside the Petro-Canada gas station at the corner of Frontage Road and King Street.
Police will allege the man entered the store about 4:20 p.m. carrying a knife and wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black balaclava, ski goggles and gloves.
He allegedly approached the cashier and demanded money from the register, taking several bills before fleeing the scene.
Officers were unable to locate the suspect when they arrived about 30 seconds after the incident took place, however they seized video surveillance footage to help their investigation.
He has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent and possession of a weapon and remanded in custody to appear at a bail hearing in Smithers tomorrow.
Smithers RCMP said the man was also a suspect in a second robbery three days later, although he has not been charged.
Police say the suspect approached a female store employee who was taking a coffee break behind the Shoppers Drug Mart building on Main Street at about 2:15 p.m.
The suspect allegedly threatened to get out a knife when the woman refused to give him her cellphone and car keys, so she relented and gave him the phone.
Police say the suspect demanded she get in her vehicle and give him the keys, but she refused and threw coffee in his face, at which point he fled the scene.
The incident was captured on video surveillance.
