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Oak Bay grocery store robbed by armed man

For the third time in just over a week, an Oak Bay storekeeper has been confronted by an intruder who indicated he was armed with a weapon. Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, a man who implied he had a gun entered Casey’s Market at St.
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For the third time in just over a week, an Oak Bay storekeeper has been confronted by an intruder who indicated he was armed with a weapon.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, a man who implied he had a gun entered Casey’s Market at St. Patrick Street and Central Avenue.

The man, who used bear spray or pepper spray during the robbery, escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police were not able to find the man.

The intruder matched the description of a man who entered Tomley’s Market on Foul Bay Road on Dec. 12.

In that case, a man approached the cashier, handed her an empty plastic grocery bag and told her to fill it. He fled empty-handed when the cashier called out to her co-worker to come to the checkout stand area.

On his way out, the robber used pepper spray at the checkout area and front entrance of the market.

The men in both cases were described as white, about five-foot-nine, 190 pounds and between 45 and 55.

On Wednesday, the Oak Bay Gold Silver and Coin Shop, at 2029 Oak Bay Ave., was robbed.

A man walked into the store at 4:48 p.m. and left with cash after showing the owner a weapon.

The robber was described as white, 35 to 40 years old, five-foot-eight to five-foot-nine and 175 to 180 pounds. He was clean shaven with a round face and walked with a slight limp.

Saanich detectives are assisting in the investigations, said Sgt. Mike Barkley of Saanich police.

“I imagine that business owners are feeling apprehensive,” Barkley said, noting that this type of crime is not common in Oak Bay.

Oak Bay Acting Sgt. Eric Thompson strongly suggested that store owners equip their businesses with high-definition surveillance video cameras.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Oak Bay police at 250-592-2424.

Anonymous reports can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or going online to victoriacrimestoppers.com.

kdedyna@timescolonist.com