Robbery suspect makes first appearance

One of two Magrath men charged in connection with a number of robberies over the past five months made his first court appearance Friday.

Derek Ross Blackmer appeared by closed-circuit TV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre where he has been detained since his arrest last Tuesday. The accused was represented by duty counsel, who told court Blackmer may have a lawyer appear for him when he returns to court Wednesday.

The latest of a string of robberies occurred Monday night at two gas stations in Lethbridge: one at Fas Gas in the 4100 block of 4 Avenue South; and the other at Mac's in the 100 block of Sunridge Road West. Police said a man entered the businesses, displayed a weapon and demanded cash before fleeing. No one was injured.

At about 12:56 a.m. last Tuesday police found the suspect and a second man inside a vehicle in the 1700 block of 17 Street South. They were arrested without incident.

Police determined that one of the men was responsible for a total of 10 robberies beginning in April and the second man had been involved in three of them. Police said the robberies were motivated by drug use.

Blackmer, 31, is charged with 10 counts of robbery, while Joshua Lloyd Alston, 26, is charged with three counts of robbery. Alston was previously released from custody with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 20.