5 teens facing 76 charges after string of violent robberies across Calgary

Five teenage boys are facing a combined 76 charges in connection with a series of violent robberies in Calgary over a span of several months.

The Calgary Police Service released a statement Wednesday detailing its months-long investigation into the robberies, which include multiple armedrobberies and carjackings.

Police arrested the five suspects two weeks ago. Three of the teens remain in custody while two have been released. All are slated to appearin court separately over the next several weeks.

According to police, the investigation into the group began with a robbery in October at a Pineridge pharmacy. A group of youths allegedly entered the store,threatened staff with bear sprayand made off withvarious narcotics before police got to the scene.

Five days later, investigators with the robbery unit noticed the pharmacy robbery had commonalities with several other robberies committed across the city. As the investigation continued, police were able to identify the five suspects.

According to CPS, the youths are believed to be responsible for 11 robberies between June and January. These include six pharmacy robberies, four carjackings and one personal robbery.

The teenagers face the following 76 charges:

• 5 counts of robbery with a firearm.
• 22 counts of robbery.
• 13 counts of using a disguise with intent.
• 19 counts of unlawful confinement.
• 11 counts of breaching a court order.
• 6 counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Police saidsome of the suspects were known to police prior to their arrest. Noadditional suspects are being sought in connection to the robberies.