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2012-02-20 at 10:10

Store robbed

By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com
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Brake Repairs! Front Ends! Mufflers! Shocks!Not just mufflers - MINUTE MUFFLER, 677 Memorial Avenue. Open Monday-Saturday. Email: tminutemuffler@shaw.caClick here for details.

There’s been yet another armed robbery in Thunder Bay.

Police say at about 10:17 p.m. a man entered a Mac's Convenience Store on South Syndicate Avenue armed with a knife and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

No one was hurt during the incident and Thunder Bay police have called in the K9 unit to help with the investigation.

Police are looking for a Native Canadian male in his early 20s, standing approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing about 180 pounds. He was wearing baggly light-coloured jeans, a beige jacket with suede arms, a knitted dark toque, white runners, knitted gloves and Aviator mirrored sunglasses.

The suspect was also carrying a multicoloured backpack, and was last seen headed westbound on Arthur Street.

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Tbnewswatch.com(36)

Comments

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ranma says:
I think it is time Macs took this seriously. Time to start using the boxes that Money Mart uses. Sure it will be expensive to retrofit the stores, but at some point they have to prove that they actually CARE about their employees that are being robbed.
2/20/2012 1:20:37 PM
imchino says:
LOL...if they cared, they wouldn't be paying people MINIMUM wage to work nights(at a store that gets robbed weekly).
These kids would make more cash, have better hours, and prob be safer if they were selling drugs.
Sad but true.
2/20/2012 3:14:25 PM
Dontlistentome says:
...and you are fool. How is the wage tied to tis in any way? You clearly have no idea how the economy works - paying more does nothing but further narrow the candidate pool when an employer is hiring. I'm not saying any of this is the employees' fault - in fact - they are really caught in the middle - but not between the criminals and their employer - more accurately - they are caught between these cowardly thieves and the societal problems - right along with the retail businesses that the victims as well.
2/21/2012 6:21:07 PM
Dontlistentome says:
I really hate to sympathize with Macs - and I don't intend to diminish the needs of the health and welfare of staff - but seriously, why does anyone think this is the responsibility of the employer. Line up the rants now - but pause for just a minute and think why should it business be expected to incur the expenses of a problem that they are not only not creating - but are not perpetuating.

Bullet-proof glass? Cages? At what expense? So many claim that Macs needs to do this and that - and the same will complain when they raise prices. Why should macs do anything at their expense when our own city administration is doing nothing about the root problems.

How did macs become the villan? They too are the target and victim in these crimes. They are being vilified for supplying the demand. It is a ridiculous notion to lay the blame on one of he victims of the crimes.

Maybe we should demand that the cowards undertaking these acts be made to answer for their actions.
2/21/2012 6:15:00 PM
N8tiveCityDweller says:
I think its pretty absurd that they would put bars on the windows, when you never hear of anyone breaking into the places, but yet still won't spend the money to put there employees behind glass. What a waste of money that was !! I now see were there protection is, on there merchandise, and not there employees !!
2/20/2012 2:19:19 PM
#justsaying says:
oh wow... yet again, someone critizing Mac's with zero knowledge... N8tiveCityDweller why do you think Mac's put window cages in those stores? Because the closed those stores at night because thats what the great citizens of Tbay suggested they do! BUT everyone says Mac's doesn't listen or doesn't care... blablabla. If they didnt put the window cages in then i'm pretty sure they would be broken into... This is proof that no matter what a VICTIM does, people like you will always find a way to lay blame and not point ur finger at the real issue. Great work N8tiveCityDweller!
2/23/2012 9:55:38 AM
tsb says:
Maybe they should just install giant vending machines. This is getting ridiculous.
2/20/2012 2:22:29 PM
woggy says:
Its like the movie Ground Hog day! Its Sad what has become of Thunder Bay.
2/20/2012 3:07:55 PM
ring of fire dude says:
Another Oxy junkie who ran out of cash for his daily fix . Things are going to get worse when Oxy's are taken out of production next month , I hope the Police have a plan in place or else we wont be able to walk the streets day or night .
2/20/2012 3:08:53 PM
calvin15 says:
I have a plan...stated it a number of times but it seems my comments do not make it to print...something about education and restructuring the centre of education.... and the Police need to reorganize their manpower
2/20/2012 5:36:40 PM
baor says:
Why should police have a plan in place for a bunch of junkies going through withdrawals. Maybe the health care professionals who started it in the first plsce should.
2/20/2012 5:50:10 PM
TBDR says:
exactly... these people will be addicts with or without police intervention. It has to come down to the feds/province wanting to do something about these addictions... guaranteed they are using this monmey to buy oxy's or some other drug. The only drug the Federal Govt seems to want to control these days is Marijuana. Go figure... its the one that isn't hurting anyone...
2/20/2012 9:47:27 PM
SadButTrue says:
Because that is the purpose of the police. To protect the innocent from those guilty. It's the whole premise, they need to adjust to do so. Saying they shouldn't pretty much would negate their entire existence.

The health care system needs realignment as well. The shear number of pills on the black market had to be created somehow. The lack of control within the supply chain has to be controlled in some fashion. Each lot of pills should be able to be tracked and monitored somehow. A complete audit of the pharmacy programs needs to be done. But they pay to much in lobbying to be looked at. This is a place the government needs to start to control drugs. Spend the money here not on marijuana uselessness.
2/21/2012 10:26:39 AM
crazyforweed says:
doubt they do ! they don't know how to handle it now , nevermind when the drug comes off the market ! this will be interesting to see what comes of it
2/20/2012 8:45:02 PM
KnightOwl says:
I'll be sure to bring this up at the meeting in T.O. with the Mac's & WSIB Managers this week. This is enough... things don't go well, you all could be hearing from me VERY soon! A LOT TO SAY!
2/20/2012 3:34:50 PM
flutterbye807 says:
It's time to let them legally have pepper spray behind the counter!...In the U.S. they can have a gun under the counter...come on Canada..you protect the criminal from being convicted before you would protect the victim!
2/20/2012 5:51:52 PM
xEdx says:
The Liberals like to register things.Why doesn't Premier McGoofy call for a "Knife Registry" This would end all knife related crimes!
2/20/2012 6:20:06 PM
TwoCents says:
Personally I will not shop at a Mac's again until they invest something more in to protecting their employees.
2/20/2012 7:25:41 PM
#justsaying says:
do u honestly think Mac's is doing "nothing"? Have u seen their stores lately TwoCents? If the Mayor supported the police, the streets would be safer and company's wouldnt have to "protect" their employees to th extent of being in the Bronx! Its a City issue, wake up!
2/21/2012 10:11:23 AM
TwoCents says:
Yes, actually I have checked out their stores lately. My personal favourite is the one on Arthur, near the LCBO and Galaxy Lanes. I LOVE the murals that almost completely obscure the front windows that face Arthur Street....
2/22/2012 11:41:12 AM
unknowncronic says:
Another ALCOHOLIC who ran out of cash for his daily fix . Things have gotten worse since prohibition was lifted, The police shoulda had a plan in place by now cause we can hardly walk the streets day or night .
2/20/2012 7:44:02 PM
Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo says:
BRING THE CURFEW BACK FOR YOUTH UNDER 18 IF THIS IS THE WAY IT'S GONNA BE... 11PM, NO IF'S AND'S OR BUTT'S! Both the youth along with the parent/guardian will also be charged.
It needs to happen now,
BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!

2/20/2012 7:51:41 PM
anon says:
Only thing is this is a person in his 20s...curfew for those under 18 won't solve much.
2/20/2012 9:53:02 PM
tsb says:
This robbery happened before 11pm, so the curfew wouldn't help. The second robbery happened at 7:30pm, so again, the curfew would have done nothing.

Also, the robbers are mostly over the age of 18, so again, the curfew would do nothing.
2/21/2012 7:40:09 AM
woggy says:
The streets are NOT SAFE.....
2/21/2012 12:37:22 AM
KnightOwl says:
...It's been the same story for the last 14 years. Mac's still taking 'baby steps' in protecting their employees. They spend all this money on 'experts'... for what!? That suggest they should hire 1 security guard for 19 stores to drive around in his 'Security Mobile?!' Sorry but he's no Batman!

I'm furious right now! I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and hoping they have something waiting in place... BUT if there isn't? You can count on me spilling the beans.

Stay tuned.
2/21/2012 4:50:30 AM
#justsaying says:
spill the beans?? What is it you know that everyone else doesn't? You go on as if you have some secret information that could solve all the issues, but really ur just a misguided trouble maker.
2/21/2012 9:41:45 AM
#justsaying says:
And you're an expert buddy? Give it a break and stop talking like u know it all, when really u don't no a thing. Ugh, u just want attention.
2/21/2012 10:03:35 AM
maggie says:
stopping production of these pills is just going to make it harder to find them and up the prices. Cant wait to see how many robberies occure with more money needed to obtain these drugs. Hang onto your hats or bats Thunder Bay
2/21/2012 7:13:42 AM
baffled_in_the_bay says:
@ Sui
Did you close your eyes when you seen this rhetoric too?
2/21/2012 7:32:02 AM
get_the_chip_off_your_shoulder says:
Mac's needs to either immediately put bullet proof cages fro the cashiers and automated door locks or get out of thunder bay. I myself and all my family members and quite a few friends have stopped using mac's for any purchases for the last year or so because mac's is a disgrace in terms of how much they really do care and their lack of responsible action. I myself used to spend over 20$ a day there for beverages and snacks and magazines and myself and everyone I am close to we no longer are buying our lottery tickets there. I suggest everyone else do the same. No customers means no choice but give in to the required security steps.
2/21/2012 9:19:03 AM
#justsaying says:
oh here we go again... So Mac's put additional security measures in place and the criminals rob them earlier in the night and its still their fault! come on people, really? all we do is blame Mac's, say they pay their employees min. wage etc... So the problem solver here is to pay Mac's employees $20hr; that's your answer to stop this. Get your heads straight people, this is a City issue and the Mayor is not doing anything about it except deflecting it. When there is a street robbery do we always here about that in the news? or a random assault? Nope. Why, because it happens so often the media would not be able to keep up with the reports. Maybe Mac's should just close up shop in Tbay and put more people out of work and lower the economy in the City! Yeah, there's a great solution... Let the criminals dictate our way of life in this City!!! unbelievable how this community just gives up and passing blame on others instead of standing together to fix the issue. #justsaying
2/21/2012 9:31:31 AM
notorious says:
the rent is TOO DAMN HIGH!
2/21/2012 10:52:36 AM
getgoing says:
Taking the oxy's off of the street, isn't going to solve anything. An addict will resort to other things. Wanna bet meth becomes the next issue? Meth labs will be popping up all over. We NEED a detox facility now. This is not a Mac's problem, it is a Social problem and these addicts are not going to stop. If Mac's closes, they will target anyone to get the money for their daily habit. Start lobbying our Government to re-open the LPH, we need to stop stepping over the underlying problem and deal with it at the root. The "elephant in the room" is not going away...it's getting bigger by the day!
2/21/2012 12:30:34 PM
010665 says:
I was on Arthur Street when this happened and watched one police car blast by lights and sirens. Then another. Then another. Maybe 30 seconds apart. All coming from the west and I was near Safeways. Maybe Im wrong but how likely is it that they were all on coffee break you know where, together, then had to race several km to Syndicate. I have no objection to police taking breaks like any other employee's. BUT, stop taking them together! No normal operation sends all staff on breaks together. Take turns and yes, have your coffee with just a partner, or even (horror) alone sometimes, SO THE OTHER PATROL CARS ARE ACTUALLY PATROLLING!. The violent robbery a couple weeks ago was only stopped because a PATROLLING officer discovered it. How much closer might a car have been if patrolling that night? We all know this happens regularly and officers I know have told me so, of as many as 6 on break together!
2/21/2012 5:28:08 PM
Dontlistentome says:
Do you know he ridiculous this sounds? You obviously know very little about how policing works. Police DO NOT drive around aimlessly on the lookout for crimes being committed. That would be a huge waste of resources and be less effective. Police 'patrol', and give presence during the moments in between responding to all the calls the are faced with. If they are able to converge together a couple times during a shift - in the middle of the night - why would anyone care. Again, so many here are so microscopic - try to think bug picture once in a while - life makes more sense usually.
2/22/2012 6:45:38 AM
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