Kingston Police look to identify suspect in robbery at west-end grocery store

Kingston Police have released the above images, obtained from security camera footage, and are requesting public assistance to identify the person pictured, the suspect in a robbery that occurred at a grocery store in the city’s west end.

According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, when, around 6:50 p.m., a loss prevention officer at the grocery store “observed the suspect selecting merchandise inside the store and then proceeding to conceal it in a purse.”

“When the suspect exited the store after making no attempt to pay for the selected merchandise, the loss prevention officer confronted them and identified themselves as store security,” Kingston Police said in a press release two days later.

“The suspect then brandished a small spray canister and advised the loss prevention officer that they were holding bear spray. The suspect then threatened to spray the loss prevention officer in the face with the contents of the canister.”

Police said that the suspect then fled the scene on foot, and that no spray was discharged from the canister during the confrontation.

Police described the suspect as being Caucasian and between 25 and 35 years of age. The suspect stands about 5’5” (165 cm) tall and weighs approximately 170 lbs (77 kg), police said, noting that, at the time of the incident, the suspect’s long brown/auburn hair was “tied back in two braids” at the time of the robbery. Additionally, the suspect was wearing a black coat with a light-coloured fur-trimmed hood and UGG-style boots, and was carrying a red and black backpack, as well as a white purse.

Anyone with information or who may know the identity of this suspect is asked to contact Constable Ryan Kearns at 613-549-4660 ext. 6319, or via email at [email protected]. Readers can also provide anonymous tips by contacting the Kingston Police general number (613-549-4660 ext. 0) and requesting to remain anonymous.