iN VIDEO: Bystander thwarts armed robbery suspect at Kamloops gas station

A bystander took action as a man tried to rob a North Kamloops gas station last night.

A video sent to iNFOnews.ca shows a suspect being arrested at the Canco gas station on Tranquille Road, while the man recording explains to RCMP on the scene that he grabbed a shotgun from the suspect.

"I'm sorry for taking that chance guys, but I looked, I was paying attention, the gun was pointing in the air — I'm sorry, but I took that chance," the person who subdued the suspect said to RCMP on the scene. 

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iNFOnews.ca has not been able to identify the person behind the camera.

Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn confirmed the robbery occurred, Aug. 18, and that a civilian assisted in subduing the suspect.

“In situations as such, we always have and continue to encourage residents to contact police officers when possible, who are trained for situations like these, rather than getting directly involved due to the risks attached," Evelyn said in a news release.

James Robert Levi Black, 27, is now facing seven criminal charges, including robbery with a firearm and obstructing a peace officer, RCMP said.

Police were called around 8:30 p.m. to the gas station where the masked suspect was reported to have entered carrying the shotgun. According to police, there were two civilians that helped restrain Black before officers arrived.

“Luckily, no one was physically hurt in this high-risk situation and the man was taken into custody without further incident,” Evelyn said.

In one of the three videos of the incident, the suspect claimed there were no shells in the shotgun.

The robbery comes a day after another armed robbery in Kamloops, Aug. 16. Two women entered a fast food restaurant wielding a weapon, then fled on bikes with cash. 

One of those suspects was later arrested that day, according to Kamloops RCMP.

— This story was updated at 4:38 p.m. Aug. 19, 2022, with new information from Kamloops RCMP.

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