Frank Ballantyne Jr. was sentenced on Tuesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Christmas day armed robber receives five-year prison sentence

Feb 25, 2025 | 5:00 PM

A man who committed multiple armed robberies in Prince Albert, including three on Christmas Day, was motivated by a desire to pay for his crystal meth addiction.

Those details were heard Tuesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court, when Frank Ballantyne Jr., by way of video from the men’s correctional centre, appeared for sentencing.

For all the offences that occurred late last year, the 26-year-old received five years in custody and a lifetime prohibition from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives.

Guilty pleas were entered to a total of 10 charges relating to robbery, possession of weapons (hammer and a gun) and breach of previous court ordered conditions.

The first offence from Nov. 30 involved a robbery at the Circle K convenience store and Ballantyne had armed himself with a hammer. At the time, he was also banned from being at the business.

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A staff member told Ballantyne to leave, and he responded by pulling a hammer from his waist band, telling the clerk to call the cops. Ballantyne then made a threatening gesture with the hammer, before stealing a sandwich, a corn dog and a bottle of Pepsi.

“It wasn’t even a hammer”, Ballantyne interrupted from the video screen.

The next incident occurred in the late afternoon hours of Christmas Day and involved the robbery of a vehicle. The complainant gave Ballantyne a ride from the Travelodge to a residence in the city’s west flat.

After arriving at the desired destination, Ballantyne pulled a gun out from his sock and grabbed the keys.

“The accused told him to get out,” Crown Prosecutor Maureen Longworth stated.

The victim complied, and soon after realized he could not immediately call for help as his phone was in the stolen Rav 4.

Roughly five hours later, Ballantyne again robbed the Circle K convenience store. After threatening the same clerk, this time with a gun, he stole the cash register’s tray which contained $250. Ballantyne also stole some cigarettes.

Shortly before midnight, the stolen vehicle was found parked and unoccupied in the 2000 block of 15th Avenue East. Officers, in an unmarked police vehicle, observed the suspect exit a cab in an alley before entering the vehicle and fleeing at a high rate of speed northbound on 15th Avenue.

The vehicle, which at times exceeded speeds of 130 km/h within city limits, and narrowly missed a number of vehicles, eventually came to a stop after colliding with a tree in the area of River Street and 15th Avenue East. Ignoring commands by police to stop, the suspect then exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot on the Rotary Trail. He was arrested soon after.

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 to the hand and there was a bullet hole to the front window. The cab driver, who had been involved in struggle with Ballantyne, was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

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.

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

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-Eleven in Prince Albert.

At one point during the proceedings, Ballantyne stood up from his chair and paced around the small room he was in. When provided the opportunity to speak, Ballantyne said he accepts the punishment.

“Im sorry for what I did. I really wanna get this out of the way and do my time,” he said.

Ballantyne also acknowledged a woman who was in the courtroom, stating he loved her and she was his motivation to get on a better path.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell