Sparky’s robbed at gunpoint for second time

Sparky’s Confectionary was robbed last night, making for the second time the store’s been hit this month, Fort Frances OPP reported this morning.
Shortly before 9 p.m., a male walked into Sparky’s, located at 508 Second St. E., brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the clerk.
The suspect then left on foot with an undetermined amount of cash.
He is described as being about 5’5” tall, with a dark complexion and dark eyes. He was wearing a dark bulky parka, black pants, a black toque, and a dark scarf or neck warmer.
When asked if this was the same suspect as the one involved in a Dec. 4 robbery of the store, as well as the holdup at gunpoint of the East End Confectionery back on Sept. 22, OPP Cst. Caroline Spencer replied, “A reasonable person could make that assumption.”
Franko’s Grocery, at the corner of Portage Avenue and Sixth Street East, also was robbed on the evening of Dec. 4.
Anyone with information regarding these robberies is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
“We need information. We want to stop this person before anyone gets hurt,” stressed Cst. Spencer, noting a firearm was brandished in most of the incidents.
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards up to $2,000 and anonymity to anyone providing any information leading to the arrest of criminal offenders.
Total confidentiality is Crime Stoppers’ top priority, said Cst. Spencer.
A male suspect of similar description had entered Sparky’s around 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register.
The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of cash and then fled the store on foot.
A suspect of a similar description had entered Franko’s Grocery earlier that evening and demanded money from an employee, but did not obtain any.
And back on Sept. 22, a suspect fitting the same description held up the East End Confectionery, located at 1026 Scott St., brandishing a black handgun.
In that incident, the suspect handed an employee a cream-coloured satchel and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of cash and then fled the store on foot.