Karlee Ann Pelletier, 29, was charged after a fake gun was used in a daytime robbery at a downtown Nanaimo convenience store on Monday, NOv. 20. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fake pistol

Woman charged with second fake gun robbery at same Nanaimo store 13 months apart

Nov 21, 2023 | 2:38 PM

NANAIMO — A woman with a history of mental health challenges is accused of again using a toy gun during an unsophisticated daytime robbery attempt in downtown Nanaimo.

Karlee Ann Pelletier, 29, was charged following a Monday, Nov. 20 incident at the Mid-Island Co-op gas bar on Victoria Cres. at about 1 p.m.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said a suspect produced what the clerk perceived was a fake pistol while demanding cash.

“They did exactly what they have to do, they presented the money to them, they called the police, we responded and dealt with it professionally.”

The suspect was arrested soon after, immediately next to the scene, O’Brien said.

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Pelletier is charged with robbery, use of an imitation firearm while committing an indictable offence and breach of probation.

“Obviously there are some mental health concerns, we’re still treating this as a criminal offence and hence the person has been charged and is in custody,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

In mid-February, Pelletier was issued a time-served sentence after spending four months behind bars for a similar mid-day offence on Oct. 13, 2022 at the same store.

Court was told Pelletier threatened to kill two clerks behind the counter during the original fake gun heist.

She casually sat down on the curb outside the store after receiving cash at the till and was arrested soon after.

Court was told Pelletier, who had no prior criminal record, phoned Nanaimo RCMP a day prior to report a fictitious structure fire on Nicol St. in a failed bid to get arrested.

Her mental health challenges include schizophrenia and numerous suicide attempts.

“Miss Pelletier is a good example of a mentally disordered individual who becomes criminalized due to deteriorating access to healthcare. She felt compelled to commit a crime to be in a safe place,” a doctor’s report noted.

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