Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inujvik (Apr 05/02) - Inuvik RCMP have arrested three males in connection with a violent robbery that took place here last Saturday night.

Staff Sgt Mark Wharton said three men entered the Inuvik Corner Store at 9:45 p.m. March 28 and held the lone male clerk down and made off with cigarettes and chocolate bars.

"They went in and assaulted the clerk and took what they wanted," Wharton said, adding the clerk was not injured.

With a number of witnesses present, police were able to quickly identify and arrest three suspects.

"We had witnesses who told us who he was right away," Wharton said.

Charged are: Thomas Kent Apsimik, 19, Benjamin Wright, 18, and a 16-year-old youth, charged under the Young Offenders Act. The suspects are all from Inuvik.

Wright and the youth were arraigned and released by the justice of the peace on conditions. Apsimik was arraigned and remanded in custody.

The adults will appear in territorial court on April 8 and the youth will appear in youth court April 30.

Wharton said alcohol was involved in the incident and the investigation is continuing.