Police say robberies, auto theft, could be related

The North Bay Police Service believe two convenience store robberies and the theft of a van may be related, police spokesman Yvan Montcalm said.

Police believe the van, a 1995 Ford Windstar stolen from the corner of Clarence and Jane Streets, was used as the getaway vehicles following the robberies.

The first robbery took place overnight July 19 when thieves
forced their way into For Your Convenience store on Seymour Avenue, incapacitating the alarm and surveillance systems.
They then proceeded to steal all of the store’s cigarettes, lottery tickets, cold meats, pop and various other merchandise as well as the safe. The store was then ransacked. The total value is over $30,000.

The same night thieves broke into the Smoke N Lotto on Sherriff Avenue, also diabling the alarm and stealing the safe, cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets. The ATM machine was also broken into.

Police said the Windstar is green in with a grey deflector on the front, and the Ontario licence number is ABPV 294.