Two Canadian soldiers arrested in restaurant robbery

Two members of the Canadian Armed Forces are in custody in Nanaimo facing weapons and criminal charges following a Christmas Eve break-in at a fast-food restaurant in which a large amount of money was stolen.

Nanaimo RCMP said in a statement Friday that Cory Damian Wagner and Ryan Kevin Verhoeks, both age 20, are to appear in court on Tuesday.

Their ranks and units were not released.

Police say Verhoeks faces 13 charges that include break and enter, theft over $5,000, two counts of careless storage of a firearm, eight counts of possession of prohibited devices and one count of uttering threats.

Wagner is charged with break and enter, theft over $5,000 and one count of uttering threats.

He does not face any weapons charges.

Police say both men were arrested Wednesday at their respective residences.

The missing money has not been recovered.

Officials with the Canadian Forces have been consulted and are aware of the charges, police said.