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33-year-old man charged after alleged robbery involving what resembled a firearm in Fort St. John

A 33-year-old man is facing multiple charges after an alleged robbery involving what witnesses believed was a firearm.

Ryan Allen Hick has been charged with robbery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and breach of probation.

Fort St. John RCMP say officers responded around 8:50 a.m. on June 18 after receiving several reports of a man pointing what appeared to be a gun at employees of a business near Alaska Road North and 92A Street.

Police quickly located the suspect leaving the area on foot. After a brief chase, officers arrested Hick near Matthews Park.

Investigators later determined the object was not a real firearm, but resembled one.

“This incident developed rapidly and witnesses had reason to believe the male was in possession of a real firearm,” said Const. Christiaan Dreyer, media relations officer with the Fort St. John RCMP.