Robbery suspect allegedly wore brownface, said he was from India
Michael Whelan was reportedly arrested with foundation makeup in his pocket after two armed robberies Monday night
A man charged with armed robberies at a convenience store and a grocery store in the centre of St. John's Monday night allegedly attempted to disguise himself by wearing brownface and saying he was from India.
Michael Whelan, 31, made a brief court appearance Tuesday afternoon. He's facing 16 charges relating to the armed robberies as well as thefts from liquor stores on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4.
Whelan is alleged to have held up Walsh's Convenience store around 7 p.m. Monday and Sobeys three hours later. In both instances, the robber ran from the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Whelan is alleged to have used makeup to darken his skin before the second armed robbery and spoke to people in the supermarket with a fake accent, saying he was from India.
RNC officers contained the area around Sobeys and quickly located Whelan, charging him in both incidents.
At the time of his arrest, Whelan was reportedly carrying foundation makeup.
Court documents indicate Whelan is charged with colouring his face in an attempt to disguise himself with the intention to commit a crime, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer with a weapon, uttering threats, two counts of possessing a weapon (a needle) for a dangerous purpose, three counts of theft under $5,000 and four breaches of court orders.
After a judge formally read him the charges Tuesday afternoon, Whelan was sent back to the lockup. He is scheduled to have a bail hearing Wednesday.