CFN – A 29-year-old Kingston male has been charged with offences related to the robbery of a local bingo hall.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2014 a lone male entered the Community Spirit Bingo Hall at 900 Montreal Street. He approached a staff member, a note was given advising it was a robbery and then displayed a knife.
With a quantity of cash the suspect fled on foot from the area and Uniform Patrol attended on scene shortly thereafter. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division also began investigating. Information led officers to a nearby Montreal Street residence, where shortly after 12:00 p.m. Joseph R. CLAESSEN was found hiding behind a bed and arrested in relation to the robbery. A second male was arrested shortly after but later unconditionally released.
Claessen faces charges of Robbery, Wearing a Disguise, Obstruct Police, Possession of a Controlled Substance believed to be cocaine, and two counts of Breach of Probation. He was held overnight in police cells and attended a bail hearing on January 6, resulting in him being remanded into custody.
Anyone with further information in relation to this investigation is please asked to contact Detective Blair Watt at 613-549-4660 ext 6320 or via email at bwatt@kpf.ca.
How low can you go?