RCMP seeks leads in six bank robberies

The RCMP is asking for the public’s help in finding a man police believe is responsible for at least six bank robberies in small towns across southern Saskatchewan in the past year.

The RCMP General Investigation Section on Thursday released details of six robberies and two attempted robberies that occurred between May 13, 2016, and June 13 this year.

“Police work a lot of times is catching a lucky break. And unfortunately at this time, we haven’t caught that lucky break,” said Sgt. Kelly West.

In each incident the suspect has been described as an adult male, between five-foot-five and five-footeight, with a heavy set or stocky build. The individual has worn dark coloured balaclavas or tuques, gloves, a grey hooded sweater, a tan coat, an orange hoodie with an Under Armour logo on the front and a camouflage or dark coat.

Vehicles that may have been involved include a dark grey van, a red or burgundy Chevrolet Equinox, a red SUV, an older model dark-coloured Chevrolet with an extended cab and a dark-coloured 2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado.

Similarities between the incidents may indicate a single suspect, but the RCMP is considering all possibilities.

“We’re exploring that option, but we do not want to develop any tunnel vision,” said West. “If there are additional suspects out there, we want to ensure that we are looking at those individuals also.”

The RCMP said it could not reveal the names of the banks that had been targeted or how much money had been stolen. It has been identified that the suspect in the Hodgeville robbery on June 24, 2016, had a firearm, but it is unclear if there was a firearm present at any of the other incidents. No people were physically harmed during any of the incidents.

The most current statistics the RCMP has from the Canadian Bankers Association indicate bank robberies have decreased by 60 per cent between 2000 and 2015, but West did not have numbers specific to southern Saskatchewan.

The RCMP has been keeping Regina and Moose Jaw police apprised of the situation and has hired an analyst from the force’s crime prevention unit to track and assess all the information gathered from the robberies so far.

While the RCMP is urging people to help by coming forward with any information regarding the incidents, he reminds the general public not to try and interfere in a robbery in progress.

“It’s not worth losing your life over some money,” said West.

If you have any information, the RCMP is asking that you contact your local police service or call, text or submit a tip online to Crime Stoppers.