A Cold Lake man is facing 21 charges following a string of liquor store thefts and robberies that spanned two RCMP jurisdictions over more than two weeks.
Cold Lake and Bonnyville RCMP responded to multiple incidents at five stores between May 3 and May 19, 2026. Liquor Warehouse, Sobeys Liquor, Nap Liquor, One AM Liquor and Ace Liquor were all targeted during that period.
Through a coordinated investigation, both detachments identified a single suspect.
At 1 a.m. on May 20, Bonnyville RCMP stopped a vehicle linked to a known offender. Hayden Nester, 24, of Cold Lake was located inside and arrested without incident.
A search of the vehicle turned up a firearm, which was seized.
Nester was charged with:
- Failing to comply with a release order (x11)
- Theft under $5,000 (x2)
- Robbery (x2)
- Uttering threats
- Possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing a crime
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (x2)
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Bonnyville on June 16, 2026.
Nester is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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