Falconridge smash-and-grab robberies net arrest

Calgary police have charged a man in connection with 10 recent smash-and-grab robberies at shops and restaurants in the city's northeast.

Investigators believe the businesses were targeted in order to get fast cash for the culprit to buy drugs, police say.

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In each case, rocks or other projectiles were thrown through shop windows and cash or merchandise was taken

Operation Smashed Glass wrapped up on Tuesday after officers caught an offender red-handed leaving a business in the 5700 block of Falsbridge Drive N.E.

He was arrested and taken to hospital to be treated for cuts from broken glass at the scene, police say.

A 44-year-old man, of no fixed address, has been charged with 10 counts of break and enter in the Falconridge area.

Police recommend businesses not keep cash on site overnight and leave their cash registers open and in plain sight so offenders can see they are empty.