Hamilton man faces charges in spree of lower-city convenience store robberies

A 25-year-old Hamilton man is accused of going on a robbery spree at local convenience stores just days after being released on bail for allegedly robbing a convenience store.

Hamilton police say they first arrested Colin McKay on Aug. 10 and charged him in connection with an Aug. 4 robbery at the Mini Food Mart on Locke Street South.

In that robbery, a man entered the store around 9 p.m., brandished a knife and demanded cash but fled empty-handed.

McKay was held for bail and later released, police said.

On Aug. 17, two convenience stores were robbed. At 2:50 a.m. a man armed with a firearm entered Big Bee Variety on James Street South and demanded cash. He fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Then at 11 p.m. a man walked into Becker’s Convenience at 119 Herkimer St., brandished a firearm and demanded money. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Two days later, around 11 p.m. on Aug. 19, a man walked into Queen’s Pizza and Wings and brandished a firearm. He demanded cash but was unsuccessful and fled on a bicycle. Hamilton police allege their investigation revealed McKay is also responsible for these robberies. On Tuesday, he was arrested again.

McKay faces four charges of robbery, three of disguise with intent, and three of using a firearm or imitation during the commission of an offence.

He was expected to appear in Hamilton bail court Thursday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Const. Ryan Komadowski at 905-546-8939, Det. Const. Mike O’Hagan at 905-5468935, or Acting Staff Sgt. Tim Bower at 905-546-2991.