On Tuesday May 4th, 2021 at 12:55Pm Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to an armed robbery in Millet. Three young males entered the store and two of them had firearms. They stole over $3,000 worth of prescription drugs.

Numerous witnesses informed police of the suspect’s license plate from a brown vehicle that sped from the area. Police responded immediately and no one was hurt during the robbery.

A witness later noticed the brown vehicle on the side of the road. Shortly after, a fire started which soon became a small bush fire. Wetaskiwin Fire Services attended the scene and put out the fire.

While patrolling the area of the fire, police located the suspect vehicle and a pursuit was initiated. The suspect vehicle led police in a chase for over 30 km and the pursuit ended with the use of a Tire Deflation Device. Police Dog Services and the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team as well as members from Leduc and Maskwacis detachments all assisted with the pursuit, resulting in the arrest of one male.

“This was a fantastic example of alert neighbours and community calling police when they see something suspicious” states Cst. Shaun Marchand of the Wetaskiwin RCMP.  “The success in locating and arresting the accused and providing critical information for this investigation has everything to do with members of the public recognizing something was out of places in three separate occasions.”

19-year-old Beckham Terrence Rawcliffe of Airdrie was charged with:

  • Robbery with offensive weapon
  • Disguised with intent
  • Resist/Obstruct arrest (X2)
  • Mischief under $5000
  • Arson
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Using firearm in commission of an offence
  • Flight from police
  • Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
  • Fail to comply with release order (X3)
  • Fail to comply with undertaking Fail to Remain at scene after MVC (x2)
  • Learner drive motor vehicle without proper supervision

Two other suspects remain outstanding and they are described as:

  • Male
  • Caucasian
  • Short (5’3-5’6)
  • Young (18-25 in age)
  • Wore all black during the robbery
  • Drove an older blue SUV
  • Have a firearm in their possession

Police consider the two outstanding suspects to be armed and dangerous.

Rawcliffe was brought before a Justice of the Peace. Beckham Rawcliffe was remanded and is scheduled to appear in court in Wetaskiwin on May 13th, 2021.

If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.