Police charge teens, link latest robbery to November incident

Calgary police say a string of violent robberies that have resulted in charges against a dozen teens are related.

Six teens between the ages of 13 and 17 were arrested Nov. 6 in connection with a series of violent robberies across the city.

The robberies included assaults on clerks and a brawl with staff and members of the public.

On Tuesday, Calgary police laid charges against eight male teens between the ages of 13 and 15 in relation to up to 13 incidents.

On Nov. 8, police say five teens entered a convenience store in the 4400 block of Memorial Drive E. and began stealing items from the store.

As they pillaged the store, one offender threw merchandise at a cashier.

The teens fled but a police canine unit tracked suspects to a residence in Forest Lawn. Six teens were arrested at the scene.

While officers completed this investigation, they became aware of 13 other similar incidents between Oct. 24 and Nov. 6. Police believe the incidents involved the same teens.

Police said swarming techniques were used, as the teens quickly entered stores stealing cellphones, jewelry, food and other electronics.

Two additional teens were identified as suspects in these cases.

In total, eight teens between 13 and 15 years old face numerous charges, including 27 counts of robbery, 16 counts of theft under $5,000, three counts of assault and 26 breaches of conditions.