The Mid-Island Co-Op convenience store and gas station on Victoria Cres. was targeted by a woman using a toy gun during a robbery on Thursday, Oct. 13. (Ian Holmes/NanaimonewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

'ARMED' ROBBERY

Fake gun used in downtown Nanaimo convenience store robbery

Oct 17, 2022 | 9:36 AM

NANAIMO — A woman accused of robbing a downtown convenience store with a toy gun didn’t get to enjoy her stolen gains for very long.

The situation happened on Thursday, Oct 13 around 11 a.m. at the Mid-Island Co-op convenience store and gas station on Victoria Cres.

Res. RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said a 27-year-old woman allegedly robbed the business by using what was later determined to be a toy gun.

“A woman had walked in with a backpack, she had a mask on and she was brandishing a gun. She demanded money from the till and the money was turned over,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Our officers are also trained to deal with every firearm as real, but our officer who was on scene quickly determined that it was fake.”

Police said the thief was also carrying a backpack containing a small amount of cash which remained on the sidewalk as the attending officer arrested the woman.

stranger attacks

Man viciously beats Nanaimo security guard and attacked stranger in Campbell River

3h ago

no snow

Chances of a white Christmas for Nanaimo 'quite remote'

16h ago

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

23h ago

It was then that a 30-year-old man grabbed the backpack and tried to make an escape.

“While the member was escorting her to his car just a short distance away, another thief came in and stole the backpack which contained the money,” O’Brien added. “The officer secured the (woman), gave chase to this person, got the backpack returned and returned the money to the gas station.”

The woman, identified as Karlee Pelletier, remains in custody. She’s charged with robbery with an imitation firearm, robbery and disguise with intent.

The 30-year-old man who grabbed the backpack was arrested and later released with charges pending.

O’Brien said regardless of whether the gun was real or fake, the charges are still basically the same.

“They held it out to be a real firearm, and it’s terrifying for the individuals who have to deal with that, and that’s why our Victim Services are involved.”

Pelletier, who has no criminal record in the province, is next due in court on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW