5 of 6 robbery cases in Iqaluit solved: RCMP

RCMP say a recent string of robberies at Iqaluit convenience stores are probably connected.

At a news conference today, police said they've solved five of the six robbery cases and arrested six people in the past two weeks.

The string of thefts began with an armed robbery at the Quickstop in late October. One man was charged with robbery with a weapon.

That was followed by five more robberies at:

• Baffin Gas on Nov. 17 Three men have been charged with theft over $5,000.
• The Inuksugait Quickstop on Dec. 4One man and one male youth have been charged with robbery.
• The Apex Quickstop on Jan 10 Investigation still ongoing.
• Baffin Convenience on Feb. 10 Three men, one female youth and two male youth have been charged.
• Arctic Ventures Marketplace on Feb. 17 One man has been charged with robbery.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be laid.

In all, they say several thousand dollars were stolen.

RCMP say they'vebeen talking with North West Company and Qikiqtaaluk Corp. about security.

Police won't comment on the relationship between the people arrested because of the ongoing investigation.