STITTSVILLE – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Robbery Unit has charged a man and a woman in relation to a Stittsville Main Street retail robbery.

“On March 18, a man entered a business located in the 1300 block of Main Street around 9:45 p.m.” the OPS released in a statement today (March 19). “He interacted with an employee, demanded narcotics stating that he was heavily armed.  The man left with an undetermined amount of narcotics.  He then entered a vehicle where his female accomplice who was waiting before fleeing the scene.”

OPS frontline officers were able to locate and intercept the involved vehicle on March Road close to the 417 westbound entrance. The suspects were both arrested without incident.  Narcotics, other drugs and a weapon were found on the suspects and inside the vehicle.

Chad Lafrenière, 40-years-old of Pembroke, was charged with:

• Armed robbery
• Disguise with intent
• Possession of a weapon
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
• Carrying a concealed weapon

Crystal Turcotte, 38-years-old of Pembroke, was charged with:

• Armed robbery
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
• Fail to comply with a probation order

The Robbery Unit Investigators were also able to link Lafrenière to another robbery committed on March 7, at a business located on Carp Road just south of Hwy. 417.  For this offence, Lafrenière was charged with:

• Armed robbery
• Possession of a weapon

Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court today (March 19). Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.