Ottawa police arrested and charged a man in connection with an armed robbery at a pawn shop in the city's east end Wednesday thanks to the quick-thinking of a shop owner.
Police were called to Kerby's Pawn Shop on Center Street, off Montreal Road, just after 6 p.m.
A man armed with a fake handgun entered the store and demanded money, according to police. The shop owner, who was alone at the time of the incident, was able to escape and call authorities.
The owner said the suspect pointed a gun at him before he managed to run out of the shop and lock the suspect inside.
When officers arrived, the male suspect was still inside the pawn shop. The suspect eventually surrendered to police.
"I am very lucky. I think this is my day today because he could do anything with me," owner Kerby Official told CTV Ottawa on Wednesday.
Police cordoned off the area to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Nearby residents were told to stay inside.
"I saw a lot of police officers against the car with their guns out. I guess they were trying to apprehend the thief or whatever. They told us to get in the house in case there were stray bullets," said witness Madeleine Dubeau.
Ottawa police have charged 26-year-old Edgar Casseus with robbery, mischief, dangerous weapons and use of an imitation firearm. He makes his first court appearance on Thursday.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.
