A Vegreville bartender credits three of her patrons for potentially saving her life after they fought off an armed robbery attempt earlier this week.
“If I had been alone, who knows? I might not be here, “ said Evelyn Stuparyk, who was working at the New Alberta Pub Wednesday night.
Stuparyk said it was just her and three regulars in the pub that night. It was shortly before closing time, and Evelyn was counting up that evening’s VLT money when a young man walked in.
“When he came in, it was last call. I told he could order one more beer,” she said.
The man sat down and ordered a drink. It wasn’t too long before he was on his feet again, approaching the table with the three patrons.
She didn’t hear what was said, but soon one of the men at the table leapt up and grabbed the young man.
“I saw Barry jump on him, but I didn’t know why,” she said.
They later told her that the robber told them “I have a gun. I need money.” Stuparyk didn’t see a gun, but in the scuffle, she did see the 12-inch machete the man was carrying.
The three men struggled briefly, pinning the young man to the floor while Stuparyk called 911. The would-be robber was able to wrestle free of the men and escape the bar. Two of the patrons chased him while the third, who had injured his ankle in the fight, stayed behind.
The young man escaped, but was arrested several hours later by RCMP.
The injured patron required surgery to his ankle, but there were no other injuries in the attempted robbery. Stuparyk, who is still shaken by what happened that night, said the bar has since added extra security. She remains thankful for the three patrons who helped stop the man.
“I’m very leery now,” she said.
It’s not going to stop me from doing my job … we are a good bar- a happy bar.”
A 20-year-old man from Vegreville has been charged with three counts of robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was allegedly carrying an Airsoft pistol and a machete. RCMP say he remains in custody.
