UPDATE: Charges Laid in Armed Robbery Investigation

Two adult males are facing charges related to an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, July 9, 2021 at a financial institution in downtown Regina. One of the males is also facing several charges related to a separate armed robbery at a business on June 29, 2021.

On Friday, July 9, 2021 at approximately 11:10 a.m., police were dispatched to a bank in the 1900 block of Hamilton Street for a report of a robbery. Early information suggested a lone male suspect entered the business and was armed with what appeared to be a firearm. The male demanded money and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect male was seen leaving the area in a vehicle. Nobody was physically injured in the incident.

Investigation led police to locating a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle the next day – Saturday, July 10, 2021 at approximately 12:50 a.m. Tire deflation devices (spike belts) were successfully used on the vehicle, but the driver did not stop for police. Police continued to follow the suspect vehicle on Rochdale Boulevard and onto Highway 11. The suspect vehicle continued to travel northbound on Highway 11 and into the town of Lumsden. RCMP were advised of the ongoing occurrence. The vehicle came to a stop within the town and the two male occupants inside the vehicle were taken into police custody. As a result:

Thirty-six year-old Alex Todd DESJARLAIS, of Regina, has been charged with:

• Armed Robbery Using a Restricted Firearm/Prohibited Firearm [CC 344 (1)(A)];
• Use of a Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence [CC 85 (1)(A)];
• Disguise With Intent [CC 351 (2)];
• Possession of a Weapon [CC 88];
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing It’s Possession is Unauthorized [CC 92 (1)];
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle [CC 94 (1)];
• Possession of Loaded or Restricted Firearm [CC 95 (1)];
• 2 X Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order [CC 117.01 (1)];
• 2 X Flight From Peace Officer [CC 320.17];
• 2 X Operate Conveyance Dangerous To Public [CC 320.13 (1)];
• Possession of Property Obtained By Crime Under $5000 [CC 355 (B)].

Thirty-two year-old Brendan HEIN, of Regina, has been charged with:

• Armed Robbery Using a Restricted Firearm/Prohibited Firearm [CC 344 (1)(A)];
• Uttering Threats [CC 264.1 (1)(A)];
• Carrying Concealed Weapon [CC 90].

In addition to the charges resulting from July 9^th and July 10^th, DESJARLAIS is also facing charges in relation to a robbery that occurred on June 29, 2021. In that incident, police were called to a business in the 2000 block of Albert Street for a report of an armed robbery. It was reported that a lone male entered the business with a firearm and demanded money from both an employee and a customer inside the business. As a result, police have charged DESJARLAIS with:

• 2 X Robbery With a Prohibited Firearm [CC 344 (1)(A)];
• Use of a Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence [CC 85 (1)(A)];
• Disguise With Intent [CC 351 (2)];
• Possession of a Weapon [CC 88];
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing It’s Possession is Unauthorized [CC 92 (1)];
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order [CC 117.01 (1)];

DESJARLAIS and HEIN made their first court appearances in Provincial Court this morning (July 12, 2021) at 9:30 a.m.

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