Two suspects are still at large following an incident Tuesday morning that triggered an emergency alert northwest of Edmonton.
At 10:15 a.m. MT, Alberta RCMP issued a critical dangerous persons alert for the community of Mayerthorpe and parts of Lac Ste. Anne County.
In the alert, RCMP said the men were armed with guns after an armed robbery.
In a followup news release Tuesday afternoon, Mayerthorpe RCMP said that around 9 a.m. MT, police responded to reports that a vehicle stolen from Edmonton may be in the Mayerthorpe area.
RCMP members were able to locate the vehicle, but its driver fled from police, RCMP said.
The vehicle was soon found abandoned and the occupants were suspected to have fled on foot, police said.
An “exhaustive search” followed, including RCMP members from surrounding detachments and from the RCMP emergency response team, police said.
“The members of the Mayerthorpe RCMP no longer believe the suspects to be in the immediate area and do not believe there is any imminent risk to the community,” RCMP said.
In the initial emergency alert, police had warned people in the area not to open their doors to strangers or pick up hitchhikers.
One suspect is described as white, about 30 years old, five feet 11 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes. The suspect was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and black sweater.
The other man is described as about six feet tall and 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black flat-brim hat with red letters.
Residents of the area are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or tips to the Mayerthorpe RCMP or Crime Stoppers.