(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit has been investigating a series of pharmacy robberies and an arrest warrant has now been issued for one of the suspects.
On October 3 and October 5, 2015, a series of four pharmacy robberies occurred:
* 2100 block of Montreal Road-October 3 @ 9:40 am
* 3900 block of Innes Road-October 3 @ 9: 55 am
* 3100 block of Strandherd Drive-October 5 @ 10:20 pm
* 1500 block of Bank Street-October 5 @ 11:30 pm
In each case a lone male entered the pharmacy and produced a note demanding money and prescription drugs. In at least two of the cases, a second suspect was observed outside the premises and a vehicle was seen waiting. In two cases, the suspect fled empty-handed, in one instance cash only was obtained, and in one, both drugs and cash were taken. There were no injuries.
Following the last October 5 robbery, a stolen vehicle, believed to have been used in the robbery, was recovered in the Herongate area. That vehicle had been taken from the 1900 block of Jasper Avenue during the morning of October 3, 2015.
One suspect is now charged in connection with these investigations. He is known to have been in Ottawa as recently as December 10, 2015.
Joseph ARIAL, age 39 of Ottawa, is charged with the following offences:
* 4 counts conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
* 2 counts attempt to commit an indictable offence
* 2 counts robbery
* 1 count theft of vehicle
* 1 count possession of stolen property
Joseph Arial is described as being a Caucasian male, 39 years of age, brown hair, possibly unshaven, 125 lbs(57 kg), 5’11 180 cm)