Suspect still loose after robbing store at gunpoint

Hoa Pham says she has had more than a few unsettling encounters in her 13 years working as a store clerk at the downtown Reddi Mart but last week was the first time she has been robbed at gunpoint.

Police are still searching for a suspect, described as a Caucasian male wearing a blue and grey checkered jacket with a red Addidas toque and red bandana at the time of the robbery.

RCMP released a video still of security camera footage from the incident, which took place at approximately 10:54 p.m last Wednesday.

Pham said she didn't hesitate to hand over cash from the register when the man approached pointing a handgun at her. The suspect fled with more than $1,000 in cash.

“At first we didn't think this would happen, it's never happened before,” said Pham, who is part-owner of the store. “When someone tries to kill you to get money, it's scary.”

Pham said she was one of two cashiers on duty. The other cashier could not be reached for comment as she is on vacation.

Pham said she often thinks about that night and still can't believed something like this could happen in Yellowknife. Shoplifters and acts of mischief are not uncommon at her store, she said, but not robberies.

Positioned to the left of the cashier is a wall of shame of sorts – the faces of people previously caught shoplifting and banned from the store. Pham presumes many of them are homeless.

“I don't feel like I hate them,” said Pham, smiling. “Some of the homeless people cause trouble but they're not bad people. Some have really warm hearts.”

Pham joked the latest suspect will probably be added to the wall but emphasized he was much different than the others.

“I don't ever want to see him again,” said Pham. “I don't want him to do anything to anybody else.”

RCMP Const. Heather Cosenzo said the investigation is ongoing and have not yet identified the suspect.

Cosenzo added the incident at Reddi Mart was one of three robbery calls in the downtown core from Dec 20 – Jan 3.