By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Armed masked man robs Nanaimo Tim Hortons, possibly linked to a gas station robbery

Feb 8, 2019 | 11:27 AM

NANAIMO — A masked man wanted more than just coffee and a donut from a north end Tim Hortons. 

Nanaimo RCMP said a man robbed the coffee shop at Nanaimo North Town Centre around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. Staff and customers told police the man ordered staff to hand over cash from the register.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said the suspect “appeared to have a handgun tuckered into the waistband of his pants.” 

The suspect fled out the front door and was last seen running towards the Mark’s Work Wearhouse in the shopping mall parking lot. 

Officers and the K9 unit were called in but couldn’t find him. 

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O’Brien said an unmarked black sedan was circling the parking lot just before the robbery. “We don’t know whether it’s related but we’re certainly looking at it as a connected factor.”

He confirmed the car wasn’t seen again after the robbery. 

The suspect is white, approximately 5 foot 10 inches with a slim build. He wore dark clothing and a black hoodie with tan trim.

O’Brien said the description matches the details provided about the suspect in an armed robbery of a nearby gas station and convenience store only a few blocks away on Sunday, Jan. 20. 

Both incidents involved a handgun. 

“That increases the jeopardy greatly and has us very concerned.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers. 

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