In the early hours of April 25th, Bonnyville RCMP received a distress call reporting a robbery in a convenience store parking lot.
Two assailants, spewing racial slurs, targeting a male of Southeast Asian descent, pelting him with verbal abuse and a Slurpee drink before escalating to physical violence. Despite the altercation, one suspect attempted to assault the victim while the other fled with the victim’s vehicle, subsequently setting it on fire a short distance away.
Bonnyville RCMP responded promptly and thoroughly investigated the incident, apprehending the perpetrators at a nearby hotel. Following their arrest, a search warrant was executed, further aiding the investigation.
Charges have been laid against 30-year-old Kyle Ironeagle of Fishing Lake, Alberta, and 24-year-old Bryton Stacey of Brantford, Ontario. Both individuals face charges of robbery, arson, theft of vehicle, and mischief over $5000. After a bail hearing, both were released by a Justice of the Peace and are scheduled to appear in Bonnyville Provincial Court on May 21.