Each day for the rest of the year, 2day FM will be looking back on some of the biggest local stories of the year, as voted by our listeners. Here’s number 6:
Based on 2014 crime statistics, Grande Prairie led the rest of the country in crime and violent crime, and it looks like 2015 will be even worse. The Swan City was plagued by armed robberies, with at least 30 reported by RCMP in the last three months of the year.
The targets were largely convenience and liquor stores, although there were some reports of home invasions and muggings. Some businesses, like the Avondale Convenience Store and the Liquor Depots on 92nd Avenue and 92 Street were hit up multiple times.
Mounties have been successful in arresting suspects in some of the robberies. 20 year old Carson Edward Sakundiak is accused of four separate armed robberies in Clairmont and Grande Prairie within just two weeks. Others remain unsolved.
ATM thefts also became a recurring problem across the Peace Country in the later part of 2015. There were four attempted thefts in one week in December.
