A 23-year-old Aldergrove man has been charged with robbing Montecristo Jewellers at the Oakridge Centre shopping mall in Vancouver on Tuesday (March 22).
Robert Steven Gallagher is currently in custody and faces trial on one count each of assault, use of a firearm during the commission of a robbery, and use of an imitation firearm.
Gallagher is said to be known to police.
Around 4:30 p.m. two men entered the jewelry store inside the mall to rob it.
A security guard was assaulted and pepper spray was discharged in the vicinity of the store, Vancouver police said.
One suspect was arrested at the scene.
The other made his escape in a waiting late ’90s green Chevrolet Astro van driven by a third suspect.
The suspect who fled the mall is described as a Middle Eastern man in his twenties.
The VPD Robbery/Assault Unit is continuing to investigate and is asking anyone who has information about the robbery or who witnessed the robbery and has yet to speak with police to contact the VPD Robbery/Assault Unit at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
