FILE PHOTO

(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - Vernon police are investigating an armed robbery early this morning where one of the suspects got away.

Vernon RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven at 1250 Middleton Way just before 4:30 a.m. today, March 8.

Two men allegedly entered the store with what appeared to be extendable batons and started to ransack the location, knocking food items from the shelves, Vernon RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett says in a news release.

The men proceeded behind the counter where they allegedly grabbed cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash. Before the suspects fled, a store employee was struck by one of the suspects on the leg with a baton.

Police responded to the area within minutes, Brett says, locating two men in the area that matched the description of the suspects. One male was arrested without incident while the other fled on foot from police and got away.

RCMP Police Service Dog 'Cain' and his handler Const. Kevin Rutten were called to the scene, and Cain quickly picked up a fresh track that led police to a third suspect hiding under a tree.

"Officers were efficient in responding to the scene, setting up containment and ultimately identifying two potential suspects involved in the robbery," Brett says.

A 16-year-old Vernon boy is in police custody and facing potential charges relating to robbery, theft under $5,000, assault with a weapon and mischief.

A 36-year-old Vernon man is also in custody facing potential charges of possession of a controlled substance, breach of undertaking and obstruction of a police officer. Both males are scheduled to appear in court today, March 8.

The employee injured during the incident suffered minor injuries.

Anyone with information relating to the robbery is asked to call Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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