Armed robbery results in four-year prison term

Man pleads guilty to robbing liquor store

There was no tender embrace or teary eyed farewell; just a simple, yet meaningful fist bump with a family member as Kyle John Thurlow was led from a Lethbridge courtroom Monday to begin a four-year prison sentence for robbery.

Thurlow, 34, pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting that at about 7:10 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2018, he robbed a city liquor store on the northside and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

Court was told Thurlow was alone when he entered the store wearing a Walmart bag over his head. He had cut two eye-holes in the bag so he could see, and while using one hand to pin the female clerk up against the wall, he used the other to hold a silver folding knife against her throat.

He threatened several times to kill the 51-year-old clerk and demanded she unlock the till. The terrified woman was unable to comply, but Thurlow took the key and opened the till himself, making off with all the $5, $10 and $20 bills.

The violent robbery was recorded on video surveillance and police apprehended Thurlow a short distance away. He was arrested without incident and the weapon and cash were recovered.

Judge Derek Redman noted the robbery was particularly aggravating because Thurlow wore a disguise, held a knife to the clerk and threatened to kill her. But he added the crime is mitigated somewhat by the guilty plea, Thurlow’s lack of a related criminal record, and his remorse.

In addition to the prison sentence, Thurlow is prohibited from possessing certain weapons for 10 years, and others for life. He must also submit a sample of his DNA for the National DNA Databank.

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