UPDATE: Duo accused of robbing pizza delivery man now connected to more armed robberies
By Trail Champion
UPDATE:
After a thorough investigation by the Kootenay Boundary Regional RCMP, Kamloops Detachment, and Chilliwack Detachment ,further charges have been laid against Shipley and Knowles, according to Trail top cop Darren Oelke (see story below).
“Both have been charged with robbery and using a firearm during the commission of an offence for an incident in Kamloops and robbery, using a firearm during the commission of an offence, and wearing a disguise during the commission of an offence for an incident in Chilliwack,” Oelke said.
“On Sept. 3, 2015 Shipley and Knowles robbed a pizza delivery person of his vehicle in Kamloops then made their way to Chilliwack, where they robbed a convenience store before arriving in Grand Forks and committing the robbery (below) on Sept. 6. Both remain in custody, Shipley appears in Rossland Court on Nov. 17 while Knowles’ next court date is Oct.20.”
Original story:
The robbery of a pizza delivery guy at gunpoint in Grand Forks Sunday led to high-speed getaway, car crash, foot chase and police service dog capture, with two suspects in custody, according to Trail top cop Sgt. Darren Oelke.
“On Sept. 6, at 8:17 p.m., the Boundary RCMP (Grand Forks) received a call that a pizza delivery person was approached by two males with a gun and robbed of his vehicle and cash,” Oelke said in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon. “The victim of the robbery was not injured.
Oelke said that, at 8:45 p.m., a member of the Trail CMP detachment spotted the vehicle (a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire) on Hwy 3B heading toward Rossland.
“When the police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed, lost control on a corner and struck a rock wall,” he said. “The stolen vehicle was demolished in the accident.
“One male was arrested at the scene of the accident, and the second male was arrested after a brief track by a police dog. Neither suspect were severely injured. A loaded firearm was recovered from the vehicle.”
Rylee Andrew Shipley, 18, of Nova Scotia and Collton Emery Knowles, 18, of Alberta have been charged with robbery with a firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of a prohibited firearm, flight from police and other firearms related charges. Both appeared in Rossland Provincial Court today (Tuesday).
Oelke said a possible connection to a similar robbery in the BC interior is also being investigated.
