A convenience store in Ottawa's west end that's been robbed several times in the last year was the target of yet another robbery.
Police say two masked men entered the Food Frenz convenience store at 2910 Carling Ave. at about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. They pulled out a six-inch knife and demanded money from the clerk, according to police.
While one suspect brandished a knife, police say the other showed what appeared to be the butt of a pistol secured in the waistband of his pants.
The men got away with a quantity of money and cigarettes and then fled on foot, heading east on Carling Avenue.
Series of robberies
It's the seventh time the convenience store has been robbed in the last year, with six of those robberies taking place over a one-month period last winter.
"It was quite extensive last February and March, but it calmed down quite a bit after we made an arrest and we hope certainly that we're not going to see a repeat of that," said Staff-Sgt. Don Sweet.
The incident marks the first robbery at the store in almost one year.
"We definitely saw a spike last year," Sweet told CTV Ottawa on Friday. "Clearly, if we start to see that happening again we will take the appropriate steps to stop it."
He said last year's robberies were motivated by people living in the area. The store stopped being targeted after police arrested a man following a short foot chase in March 2009. Edward Grosse who was arrested and charged was also wanted on outstanding warrants in Ontario and B.C.
Tighter security
Since last year's robberies, the store beefed up security with the help of police. Now, it's secured with a surveillance camera and an electronic door that employees can lock, keeping anyone suspicious out.
The electronic door, however, was not in use at the time of the robbery.
"We have put in a better security system, we've gone all out from secure doors to security system, to panic alarms to you name it. We've done it all; we can only do so much," said owner Jerry Jadon.
Police will now scour over surveillance video to help them piece together the case.
The suspects are described as between 20 and 25 years old. Both had their faces covered by either a bandana or handkerchief.
One is described as a black male with a medium build. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood, spoke English and may have been carrying a gun.
The other is described as a white male who is about five feet seven inches tall, also with a medium build.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS.
With files from Carleton University School of Journalism student Peter Houston
