PLAMONDON - A dozen handguns are in the hands of thieves after an early morning break-in last Wednesday at the North Country Co-Op store's hardware and agro location north of Plamondon.
Lac La Biche RCMP say the guns were stolen from a display case in the store during a break-in on Oct. 27. At 5:12 a.m., building security captured images of a lone suspect inside the business. The suspect, described as a man with a medium build wearing blue jeans, a black coat, gloves and a hat, was carrying a bright blue bag. The suspect stole only the handguns.
Lac La Biche RCMP spokesperson Const. Cassandra Calaverley said the handguns, considered restricted firearms, had varying calibres and varying makes. The handguns were all documented by their serial numbers.
"We have recorded all the serial numbers and entered them into our Canadian Police Information Centre database," Calverley told Lakeland This Week. "If they are used or located anywhere in Canada, we will know."
The Co-Op store was closed for a portion of the morning of the theft as the Alberta RCMP Forensic Identification unit examined the scene.
The suspect's full description:
• Male
• Medium Build
• Blue Jeans
• Black coat
• Black gloves
• Black hat
• Black running shoes
• Bright blue bag
The RCMP did not provide exact descriptions of the stolen weapons.
The direction of travel of the suspect after the theft was not known.
The investigation into the theft is ongoing and RCMP are asking the public for any information.
Anyone with information about the theft can contact the Lac La Biche RCMP detachment at 780-404-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.