On December 6, 2016, at about 1:30 am, Ashern RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in Ashern.

An armed suspect, wearing coveralls, white gloves and a green hood, entered the gas station and demanded money and cigarettes from an employee. The suspect then fled southbound on Highway 6.

Lundar and Ashern RCMP immediately searched the surrounding area for the suspect vehicle, a red GMC pickup truck. Following extensive patrols of nearby highways, the vehicle could not be located.

On December 7, members of the Ashern RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Lake Manitoba First Nation arena.

Officers attended the scene and determined that an armed suspect had entered the arena and robbed the VLTs. The suspect fled in a vehicle, described as a GMC pickup before officers arrived. No employees of the arena were confronted. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.

RCMP searched the surrounding area for the suspect vehicle. Again, following extensive patrols of nearby highways, the vehicle could not be located.

On December 8, a burnt-out GMC pickup was located.

Police believe the two robberies are connected. There were no injuries in either robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lundar RCMP at 204-762-5088 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).