An Elmsdale man convicted of manslaughter in Ontario in 2002 and who has been on statutory release since May, 2009, was charged in connection with a robbery at an Alberton gas station shortly after 7:20 pm, Saturday, Jan 30.
Correctional Service Canada issued a warrant of apprehension and suspended the man’s statutory release as a result of the incident.

Michael Clarence Griffin, 47, was apprehended after a chase and charged with robbery following an incident in which a man entered Barbour’s Esso on Church Street demanding cash from an employee.

Mr Griffin appeared before a Justice of the Peace on Sunday and was remanded to custody, to appear in Summerside Provincial Court on Tuesday, Feb 2, 2:30 pm for a show cause hearing.

West Prince RCMP say although no weapon was brandished during the robbery, the man reached into his pocket as if to retrieve a weapon after the employee initially refused to comply with his demands for money.

The man removed a quantity of cash from the cash register and fled in a pick-up truck.

RCMP officers from West Prince and East Prince districts were called to find the fleeing suspect.

They set up check points in an attempt to locate his vehicle.

Shortly after 9 pm a man and a woman were observed leaving a truck matching the description of the vehicle identified in the robbery. When an RCMP officer approached them they both ran away. The woman was taken into custody after a short foot chase and subsequently released without being charged, while the man escaped.

Further investigation led the RCMP to a residence on Carol Street in Alberton, where it was confirmed that Mr Griffin was inside.

An RCMP news release stated officers forcibly broke the door and took Mr Griffin into custody shortly after midnight, when he refused to unlock the door or leave the residence.

The RCMP Police Dog Service and Forensic Identification Section also assisted the RCMP.