Calgary Police are asking the public for help in identifying multiple suspects believed to be connected to a series of violent armed robberies at several cannabis stores in the city. 

Following a previous press release from late November, police in Calgary now says there have been 12 cannabis store robberies in the city, including one incident where the suspects kicked the store clerk unconscious and brandished a knife.

Weapons such as a handgun and a hammer have also been used in other reported incidents, say police.

Police shared CCTV images with the hope of identifying the suspects and encouraging the public to be wary of suspicious behaviour or activity near cannabis retail stores.

Law enforcement say they believe it is the same group targeting stores for cash and cannabis product which can be re-sold illegally. The suspects are described as males wearing dark clothing, hoodies with the hoods pulled up, masks and gloves.

Robberies and burglaries of cannabis stores are not uncommon, and stores in Calgary have been previously targeted. Cannabis growers and processors have not been immune, either. Earlier this year, at least two cannabis producers in BC’s Lower Mainland were the victims of early-morning burglaries.

Alberta recently repealed its rule requiring stores to have window coverings, which retailers said made their employees less safe in such incidents.