Man alleged responsible for three armed robberies on Christmas Day

Later that day, at approximately 10 p.m. police were called to the Circle K convenience store for a silent panic alarm. Arriving officers learned the business had been robbed at gunpoint by a male after being asked to leave the business by a staff member.

Later that night, officers located the suspect vehicle parked in the area of the 2000 block of 15th Avenue East. Officers observed the suspect exit a cab in an alley before entering the suspect vehicle and fleeing at a high rate of speed northbound on 15th Avenue.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop after colliding with a tree in the area of River Street and 15th Avenue East. The suspect then exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot before being arrested a short distance away.

Upon a search of the vehicle, a firearm was located with a spent casing inside. Officers then attended to the cab driver and learned he was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers learned the suspect pointed a firearm at the cab driver and demanded money before the firearm was discharged and the suspect fled the scene. The vehicle used in the armed robberies is believed to be the same vehicle stolen earlier that day.

According to facts read in court on Friday, roughly $30 was taken from the cab driver and the weapon used was a modified 22 caliber rifle.

At the time of the offences, Ballantyne was out on bail with a curfew and was both prohibited from being at the store and possessing any firearms.

On Nov. 30, another robbery at the Circle K involved theft of merchandise and Ballantyne allegedly used a hammer.

Prior to these incidents, Ballantyne had prior outstanding charges from October 26 and Nov. 14 relating to failing to comply with a release order.

He has been remanded back to jail and is scheduled to appear again Monday morning for a possible bail hearing.

In January, 2023, Ballantyne received a two year sentence for assault causing bodily harm. The offence from April 2022, involved a man getting stabbed at a 7-11 in Prince Albert.

With credit for time spent in remand, Ballantyne had roughly 13 months left to serve. After his release from custody, he was subject to a 10-year ban from owning or possessing any weapons or explosives.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Man alleged responsible for three armed robberies on Christmas Day

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