Saturday, June 28, 2003

POLICE ARREST THIRD ROBBERY SUSPECT
Last night at 10:40 p.m., patrol officers located and arrested Andre Laine, age 18, who was the third accused wanted in connection with a confectionary store robbery on June 20.

Two males robbed the store using a firearm to threaten the clerk. No one was injured in the robbery and thieves stole a small amount of cash and cigarettes and fled the store on foot. Police believe the third male was watching outside the store.

The investigation into the robbery revealed that on June 19th, Adrian Smith, age 19 of 19 Prospect Court Elliot Lake, along with co-accused Eric Mearow, age 18 of 12 Amherst Street allegedly were in a parking lot in the city's west end and stole a mini van. Later that evening and into the early morning of June 20th, the accused allegedly robbed the Mac's Mart at 2200 Queen Street East.

Smith had a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun during the robbery and was wearing a disguise. Eric Mearow was involved in the theft of the van and the robbery.

Detectives were able to determine that a third person, Andre Henry Laine, age 18 of 9 Ascot Street, was allegedly involved in the robbery as well. Investigators believe he accompanied Smith into the store and robbed the clerk. Mearow is believed to have waited outside.

Laine was arrested last night without incident and is being held in custody.