Lunenburg County man charged in connection with robbery of Blockhouse convenience store

A Lunenburg County man has been arrested and charged after a robbery of a convenience store in Blockhouse, Lunenburg District RCMP said Friday. 

Police said Brandon Lee Wentzell was arrested and charged Thursday in relation to the armed robbery of Aki’s Convenience Store in Blockhouse, which is near Lunenburg, on Oct. 13. 

Wentzell is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon when knowing possession was unauthorized, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, armed robbery with a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offence and pointing a firearm, careless use of a firearm and being disguised with the intent to commit an offence. 

Police said Wentzell was scheduled to appear in Bridgewater provincial court Friday, adding their investigation remains ongoing. 

Vikit Vikit, one of the owners of the convenience store, previously told The Chronicle Herald that he was cleaning up near the end of his shift when a masked man came through the door and pointed a gun at him. After an exchange, Vikit said he ran outside the store and tried to lock the suspect inside while he called police. 

However, the robber burst through the door and ran to a nearby road, where he was picked up by a white SUV. 

Vikit said he was surprised by the ordeal. 

“It’s a small store, it’s a small community, so if people are coming in to rob for a few hundred bucks, that’s not good,” he said. 

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the RCMP at 902-634-8674. Those wishing to remain anonymous can also contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-634-8674.