Yellowknife have charged two men in relation to recent armed robberies in the city.

The first incident happened on March 4 when police were told about a robbery that happened shortly after 12 p.m. A woman visiting from overseas allegedly had her phone snatched and when a bystander gave chase, they were threatened with a large knife. The were able to locate and arrest Barry Pederson, 43, a short time later.

Pederson has been charged with multiple offences, including assault with a weapon; theft; possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; resisting arrest; and failing to comply with release conditions.

The following day saw police charge Jeremy Kuneyuna, 29, with several offences following a string of thefts at businesses located on Old Airport Road. Officers were given a heads-up just before noon that security personnel at Walmart were trying to prevent Kuneyuna from shoplifting.

It is reported that Kuneyuna brandished a knife and threatened the security staff before escaping. He was later found and arrested without incident. Kuneyuna has been charged with robbery with a weapon; four counts of theft under $5000; four counts of possession of property obtained by crime; and failure to comply with conditions of a probation order.

These were the seventh and eighth armed robberies involving knives, stated the in a news release.