An Airdrie woman is facing serious criminal charges following an alleged armed robbery at a Carstairs business that culminated in a dramatic police intervention and traffic stop.
The Monday Afternoon Incident
Shannon Gladue, a 49-year-old resident of Airdrie, entered a local business in Carstairs on Monday afternoon and demanded money from the employee working the register. According to RCMP reports, the suspect claimed to be carrying a firearm, keeping her hand concealed in her pocket throughout the confrontation.
The employee demonstrated remarkable courage by refusing to comply with the robbery demands. This resistance sparked a physical struggle between the two individuals, during which the suspect assaulted the employee before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Police Response and Arrest
Didsbury RCMP responded to the incident at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025. While assisting with containment efforts, Airdrie RCMP officers spotted the suspect vehicle traveling southbound on Dickson Stevenson Trail, north of Airdrie in Rocky View County.
Officers conducted a traffic stop that led to the arrest of two occupants, including the primary suspect. A thorough search of the vehicle and both individuals revealed no actual firearm was recovered at the scene.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Following an investigation, Gladue has been formally charged with assault and robbery with a firearm. The male driver of the vehicle was determined to be uninvolved in and unaware of the Carstairs robbery, though he faces pending charges for breaching his release order conditions.
RCMP officials have not provided immediate comment regarding the decision to proceed with armed robbery charges despite the absence of a recovered weapon. Gladue has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Canmore via CCTV on Wednesday.
The case highlights the continued vigilance of RCMP officers in responding to violent crimes across Alberta communities, while raising questions about charging protocols when weapons are alleged but not physically recovered.
