Knife-wielding man robs same Port Alberni store 3 times in a week: RCMP

Mounties are investigating after a convenience store in Port Alberni, B.C., was twice robbed at knifepoint by the same man Sunday.
Investigators believe the perpetrator is the same man who also robbed the store exactly one week earlier.
The Port Alberni RCMP were called to the 7-Eleven on Redford Street and 10th Avenue at 3:25 p.m. Sunday after a man wearing a blue ski mask and brandishing a knife robbed the store.
The robber fled before police arrived, but the RCMP say the man's description and behaviour matched that of their suspect in a robbery at the same store on the night of Nov. 27.
Two hours later, police received a report that a man matching the same suspect description and carrying a knife tried to rob the King Edward Liquor Store on 3rd Avenue but was unsuccessful.
The masked man returned to the same 7-Eleven at 7:10 p.m. and again robbed the business and fled, police said.
"Fortunately, no one at the locations has been injured in these incidents however they are highly traumatizing, placing employees and the public at risk," the Port Alberni RCMP said in a release Monday.
"[The] Port Alberni detachment is investigating these incidents and seeking the public's assistance to identify the suspect through direct knowledge, dash camera or private video that may assist."
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 children dead, 6 injured after city bus crashes into daycare in Montreal suburb Laval, driver arrested
Two children are dead and six others are injured after a Laval city bus crashed into a daycare Wednesday morning. The driver of the bus, a 51-year-old man, has been arrested and faces charges of homicide and dangerous driving, police say.

NEW | 'There are no words': Laval daycare bus crash prompts outpouring of condolences on Parliament Hill
Condolences are pouring in on Parliament Hill after a Laval, Que., city bus crashed into a daycare on Wednesday morning, with federal politicians of all stripes expressing their sympathies with the families affected and gratitude to the first responders.
Netflix Canada begins password sharing crackdown
Netflix Canada is rolling out its long-anticipated plans to crack down on password sharing, saying it will begin notifying Canadian users today by email about limitations.
Bank of Canada releases details on interest rate decision for the first time
The Bank of Canada released a summary of its Governing Council meetings on Wednesday, providing the public and financial institutions with more insight into the central bank’s decision to raise its key interest rate on Jan. 25.
Health-care workers have new hand-washing guidelines. Here's how you can apply them
The way respiratory viruses have circulated this fall and winter, most Canadians could probably benefit from a hand-hygiene refresher. Here are the latest hand-washing best practices to apply in your daily life.
Labour shortages could push up wages, 'reignite inflation' in long run, report warns
Protracted labour shortages in Canada could fuel more rapid wage growth and inflation over time, potentially prompting the need for higher interest rates long-term, a new RBC Economics report released Wednesday said.
Awkward moment or conscious message? Political experts weigh in on Danielle Smith-Justin Trudeau handshake
An 'awkward' attempt at a handshake between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the prime minister Tuesday is another example of leaders from the western province hesitating before shaking Justin Trudeau's hand, say political experts.
Killer whale mothers take care of their sons much longer than their daughters. This could be why
The sacrifices female killer whales make for their sons well after they are weaned is negatively affecting their reproductive health, according to new scientific research.
Turkiye, Syria quake death toll nears 12,000
With hope of finding survivors fading, stretched rescue teams in Turkiye and Syria searched Wednesday for signs of life in the rubble of thousands of buildings toppled by the world's deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. The confirmed death toll approached 12,000.