CHILLIWACK -- A Chilliwack man is facing a range of charges, including impersonating a police officer and using an imitation firearm, after two men tried to steal an ATM from a convenience store in broad daylight.

Police say two men, one dressed like a police officer, entered the Shell convenience store at Eagle Landing at around 6:45 p.m.

Mounties say the men tried to remove the ATM machine. They left after realizing the unit was bolted to the floor, but told the clerk that they would return.

Police later stopped the van the two men were seen leaving the store in. Two men were found inside and arrested, although only one was sought in connection to the ATM incident (the other was arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants). Mounties also recovered the police uniform.

Chilliwack RCMP are still seeking a second man involved. He is described as white, in his mid-40s, between five-foot-10 and six feet tall, of slender build and with brown hair.

Mounties are also "investigating how the suspect came to possess the police uniform," according to RCMP Const. Tracy Wolbeck. Asked whether the uniform was real, she said police "can't speak to its authenticity."

She stressed it is rare for someone to impersonate a police officer.

That said, Wolbeck said, "If you do have any concerns about the authenticity of a police officer, you can always ask for a badge and identification.

She said the men's behaviour "is not typical of a police officer. We wouldn't come in and attempt to remove an ATM machine."

Marc Joseph Cadieux, 41, of Chilliwack, has been charged with personating an officer, using an imitation firearm and attempted theft over $5,000. He is also charged with break-and-enter in connection to another alleged offence.

He is already scheduled to stand trial later this year on uttering threat charges.

tolsen@chilliwack times.com

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