Red Deer man gets 12-month conditional sentence in vape shop armed robbery case
John Edward Allison, 54, was sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing stolen property tied to a February robbery at a downtown Red Deer business. Two other accused still face charges, including robbery with a firearm.
John Edward Allison, 54, of Red Deer was handed a 12-month Conditional Sentence Order in Red Deer Court of Justice on Oct. 26 after pleading guilty to one count of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000. His conditions include house arrest, a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and a requirement to keep the peace, with limited exceptions for work, school or approved activities.
Police were called to a commercial business in downtown Red Deer on Feb. 23 at about 11:04 p.m., where three suspects allegedly stole vape products and fled in a white SUV later found to have been stolen out of Edmonton. The vehicle was recovered in Red Deer's Riverside Meadows area.
Red Deer RCMP's General Investigation Section arrested Allison on Feb. 26, initially charging him with possession of property obtained by crime and possession of unstamped tobacco for resale.
Investigators later identified two more suspects. Janine Amos, 39, of Red Deer faces charges including robbery with a firearm, disguise with intent and possession of property over $5,000; she was arrested on unrelated matters and remains in custody. William Johnston-Vince, 35, of Sylvan Lake faces similar charges plus failure to comply with a release order, and a warrant remains out for his arrest. Both are scheduled to appear in Red Deer Court of Justice on Nov. 5.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.