Charges laid in marijuana dispensary robberies

OTTAWA — Four people are facing charges in connection with a series of robberies at marijuana dispensaries in Ottawa.

The Robbery Unit has received seven reports related to the robbery of dispensaries this year, with six of those incidents happening in October and November.

On Wednesday, November 16, patrol officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Bank Street and Heron Road.

Two of the four people in the vehicle fled.

One was pursued by a police officer and arrested nearby.

The other was tracked down by the canine unit, and was treated for a minor injury related to the pursuit.

The two people that stayed at the vehicle were also taken into custody.

A follow-up search in the area the next day turned up a loaded handgun.

Charges have been laid in relation to the following robberies:

– November 5, 1-100 block of Iber Road
– November 11, 500 block of Gladstone Avenue
– November 16, 1-100 block of Antares Drive

Those charged are identified as:
Steven Constant, 23, of Ottawa:

– Possession of property obtained by crime
Dieudonne Ngondimwiki, 23, Gatineau:

– Possession of property obtained by crime
– Disguise with intent
– Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
– Robbery with a firearm
– Possession of a weapon
Cheslie Pharel, 22, Vars:

– Possession of property obtained by crime
– Two counts of Disguise with intent
– Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
– Robbery with a firearm
– Forcible confinement
Immanuel Toussaint, 25, Ottawa:

– Possession of property obtained by crime
– Disguise with intent
– Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
– Robbery with a firearm

Additional charges are expected, and police say several investigations remain ongoing in relation to the other robberies.