Charges laid in string of armed robberies, assaults and weapons offences

Strathmore, Alberta – Charges have been laid against three people following a string of armed robberies in Gleichen and Strathmore on December 9.
Just after 9:00 pm on December 9, Strathmore RCMP received a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Petro Canada gas station along Hwy 1 in Strathmore. One female and two male suspects armed with rifle and bear spray had entered the store brandishing the weapons and demanding cash.
A short time later, a second report of an armed robbery was received, this time from the Husky station. In this instance, a male suspect discharged bear spray at an employee after stealing items from the store.
Members from Strathmore RCMP obtained a description of the suspect’s vehicle and began to search the area. At the same time, officers from Gleichen RCMP contacted the Strathmore officers and said that people matching the description had been involved in a theft of liquor in Cluny and fled in a grey GMC Acadia.
Strathmore RCMP located the GMC Acadia leaving the area of the last robbery, travelling EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 1. Police attempted to pull the vehicle over but the driver refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. A tire deflation device was deployed during the pursuit and the suspect vehicle drove into a field where the occupants then fled on foot.
With the assistance of the RCMP Police Dog and Calgary Police HAWCS helicopter, all three suspects were located and taken into custody. During the arrest, one of the suspects discharged bear spray at the arresting officer. The officer was treated for exposure to bear spray but was not seriously injured. The firearm involved in the offences was recovered near where the suspect vehicle had stopped in the field.
27-year-old Bradley Josh BLACKHORSE and 24-year-old Justin Lee Nathan CUTTER, both from Siksika Nation have been charged with numerous criminal charges including; Robbery with a Firearm, Robbery with an Offensive Weapon, Disguise with Intent, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Police in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, pointing a Firearm, Assault with a Weapon, and Assaulting a Peace Officer with a Weapon,
BLACKHORSE is scheduled to appear on December 15th, 2017 in Drumheller Provincial Court. CUTTER will be appearing in Strathmore Court on December 19 and Siksika Provincial Court December 14, 2017
A 15-year-old female youth from Siksika Nation who can not be identified has also been charged with similar offences as well as assault for spitting on an RCMP member during the arrest process