Calgary police say two men have been charged following a violent daytime robbery at an optical store in the city’s northwest that left employees bound and hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise missing.
What happened
Investigators report the incident began just before midday on July 8, when a man entered Vaskis Optique on 14 Street NW, north of Memorial Drive, and posed as a customer.
Police say the man browsed high‑end items and left, then returned about an hour and a half later with a second man in disguise. The pair allegedly attacked two employees, restrained and tied them up, smashed multiple display cases and fled carrying bags.
“They fled with bags filled with $700,000 worth of luxury eyewear.”
Arrests and charges
Both suspects were arrested the next day. An off‑duty officer had observed two men discarding clothing in a dumpster and running west while carrying bags, which drew police attention. Review of security footage and witness accounts also linked the pair to a separate break‑and‑enter in the Forest Lawn community the previous weekend.
| Name | Age | Alleged charges |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew John Woodson | 39 | Robbery; unlawful confinement; intimidation |
| Cyle Sebastian Franklin | 32 | Robbery; unlawful confinement; disguise with intent |
Impact on business and community
Police estimate the store suffered roughly $14,000 in property damage in addition to the loss of inventory. The large value of the stolen eyewear — described by investigators as approximately $700,000 — highlights the vulnerability of small retailers that carry expensive, compact inventory.
Local business owners say such incidents can have ripple effects: immediate security upgrades, temporary disruption of operations and increased insurance costs. The fact the assault occurred during regular business hours raises concerns among staff and customers about safety in retail corridors.
How residents can help
- If you have information about the robbery or either suspect, contact Calgary police at 403‑266‑1234.
- Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
- Businesses with surveillance footage from the area around the time of the offence are asked to preserve and share it with investigators.
Both men are expected to appear in court next month. Police continue to investigate the linked break‑and‑enter in Forest Lawn as part of the same probe.
The arrest follows routine investigative steps: witness interviews, video review and follow‑up from officers who happened upon suspicious activity, underscoring the role both public vigilance and ordinary observations by off‑duty personnel can play in resolving serious crimes.
