One man is believed to be responsible for at least four armed robberies at financial institutions, according to Alberta RCMP Media Relations Spokesperson Corporal Sharon Franks.
“He’s been involved in four that we know of,” Franks said. “We have received a few tips from the public, although we don’t have a suspect identified at this time.
“He is considered armed and dangerous,” she added. “A weapon was seen (by witnesses) in all four incidences. In all cases we believe the weapon to be real, unless we determine otherwise, and we have no information to suggest it isn’t real.”
The first armed robbery took place in Onoway, west of Edmonton on June 9, according to Franks. The suspect entered a CIBC at approximately 3:40 p.m., approached a teller, produced a firearm and demanded cash.
Seven days later, he struck again, this time in Linden.
According to Sergeant Glen Demmon of the Beiseker RCMP, a lone man entered an ATB Financial in Linden at approximately 4 p.m., approached a teller and produced a handgun.
The suspect demanded money from the teller and was able to leave the business with an undisclosed amount, according to Demmon.
“In the Linden incident, RCMP believe he left in a vehicle but no description was given,” Franks said.
A financial institution in Alliance, east of Red Deer, was hit next on June 19. In this instance, RCMP said the suspect approached the business on foot, again approached a teller, produced a gun and demanded money. He then left the scene on foot.
According to Franks, Beiseker RCMP was called to investigate the fourth robbery, this time in Acme on June 22. Officers were called out shortly before 1 p.m.
Following a similar pattern, the suspect entered the bank, approached a teller, produced a handgun, a bag and demanded cash. He fled the scene in a vehicle, however Franks said a description of the vehicle is not available.
RCMP describe the man as Caucasian, 40 to 50 years old, 5’7” tall and 165 pounds. In the Onoway and Linden robberies, he was wearing a black ball cap, big sunglasses and a THOR brand jersey with yellow lettering and black sleeves.
In the Alliance robbery, RCMP describe his shirt as “long-sleeved” and he was wearing jeans. In Acme he was wearing a black long-sleeved jersey with a white logo, an orange ball cap and big sunglasses.
Franks was not able to divulge the amount of money the man was able to steal from each financial institution.
Armed robberies in rural Alberta are uncommon, according to Franks.
“This is the second serial bank robber we’ve seen this year,” Franks said. “I think we often see news releases coming out of Calgary Police Services that there’s someone doing serial bank robberies but it’s a little out of the ordinary for rural areas.”
Franks said RCMP is not recommending anyone approach the suspect, because he is considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information on any crime, call your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
