Local among those in custody after armed robbery at Ryley liquor store

A 22 year old Ryley man, a 20 year old man, and a youth have been taken into custody in connection with an armed robbery Monday evening at Ryley Cold Beer and Spirits on Main Street, Ryley.

A knapsack full of liquor and roughly $500 cash was stolen, when three males charged into the liquor store at 8:30 pm Monday evening. One man loaded liquor while another threatened the victims with a shotgun and the third waved a large knife at employee Harinder Handal and his friend Cecilia Esteban – who had the misfortune to be stopping in for a visit.

All three were covered completely, except for their eyes which Handal said seemed light coloured. However he could not identify any of the three.

The armed robbery was over in a minute, or minute-and-a-half said Handal. He stayed calm and controlled the situation, being very heroic and all the while having flashbacks about his wife and two children.

Handal said he was worried the gun would go off accidentally.

For more first hand account of the armed robbery in Ryley see this Tuesday’s Tofield Mercury