(Ottawa)- The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit is investigating the robberies of several marijuana dispensaries and charges have been laid in connection to three incidents.

Year to date in 2016, the Robbery Unit has received seven reports related to the robbery of marijuana dispensaries. Six of those incidents have been in October-November and investigations have been ongoing.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2016, patrol officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Bank Street and Heron Road. At the time of the stop, two of the four occupants fled from the vehicle. One of the suspects that fled was pursued by a police officer and arrested close-by. The second suspect that fled was arrested in the area following a canine track. The two suspects that remained at the vehicle were also taken into custody. The suspect that was located by the canine was treated for a minor, related injury at hospital and released that same evening.

On Thursday, November 17, 2016, a follow-up search of the area by Police resulted in the locating of a loaded handgun.

As a result of the investigation by the Robbery Unit, a series of charges have been laid in connection to three of the robberies:

  • November 5, 2016, 1-100 block of Iber Road
  • November 11, 2016, 500 block of Gladstone Avenue
  • November 16, 2016, 1-100 block of Antares Drive

The following is a list of persons charged and their charges:

Steven CONSTANT, age 23 of Ottawa:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime

Dieudonne NGONDIMWIKI, age 23 of Gatineau:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Disguise with intent
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
  • Robbery with a firearm
  • Possession of a weapon

Cheslie PHAREL, age 22 of Vars:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Two counts of Disguise with intent
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
  • Robbery with a firearm
  • Forcible confinement

Immanuel TOUSSAINT, age 25 of Ottawa:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Disguise with intent
  • Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
  • Robbery with a firearm

Additional charges are expected and several investigations remain ongoing in relation to the other outstanding robberies.

All four suspects appeared in court next on November 18, 2016.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery, or any robbery, is asked to call the Ottawa Police's Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.