Photo: Castanet Staff

Two bystanders intervened in an armed robbery Thursday at a North Kamloops gas station, disarming a shotgun-wielding suspect and holding him until police arrived.

That’s what Kamloops Mounties said in a news release on Friday afternoon, noting the suspect — a 27-year-old Kamloops man — is now facing seven charges.

Police said the robbery was reported at about 8:30 p.m. at a gas station in the 200-block of Tranquille Road. Initial reports indicated a masked man with a shotgun entered the store and demanded cash.

RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said two bystanders intervened, disarming and detaining the suspect until Mounties arrived.

“Luckily, no one was physically hurt in the high-risk situation and the man was taken into custody without further incident,” she said.

“In situations as such, we always have and continue to encourage residents to contact police officers when possible, who are trained for situations like these, rather than getting directly involved due to the risks attached.”

James Robert Levi Black is facing charges including robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose and pointing a firearm.

Anyone with information about the incident can call police at 250-828-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.