"Vaulter Bandit" WANTED $20,000 REWARD OFFERED

Reward for 'Vaulter Bandit' information increased to $20,000

The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) has doubled a reward in an attempt to capture a man wanted for 17 bank robberies in the past two years.

At a police headquarters press conference on Dec 21, CBA security director Bill Crate said he hopes the $20,000 reward will lead to the arrest of "The Vaulter Bandit."

The bandit has robbed 13 Ontario banks plus four in Calgary, between Feb. 3, 2010 and Dec. 14, 2011.

Described as white man in his 40s or 50s, he has been dubbed so because he vaults over bank counters with a firearm to commit the robberies.

"We hope this reward will lead to badly needed information concerning this criminal, so that our customers and employees can go about their lives freely and with confidence," said Crate, who offered a $10,000 reward in September 2010. "We and the police are concerned because the violence is escalating."

Toronto Police Service Hold-Up Squad S/Insp. Mike Earl said his biggest concern is the public's safety.

"One phone call can get someone $20,000 for just identifying this individual," said Earl. "There's forensic and other evidence that can link him to the robberies, as long as we get the right name."

The Vaulter Bandit committed his latest heist last week, at the TD Bank at 5100 Rutherford Rd. in Vaughan. He has also robbed banks in Hamilton and Ottawa. This is the second reward that the CBA has offered this year.

"We usually did about one a year, but last year, there was four," Crate said. "I think two things are at play. There is actually a decrease in the number of bank robberies in Canada, but what has happened is that other jurisdictions are now taking advantage of the opportunities that the CBA provides in offering a reward to make these individuals accountable."

Anyone with information can call the Toronto Police Hold-Up Squad at (416) 808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For media enquiries, please call 416-808-7100.




PREVIOUS RELEASE FROM THE CALGARY POLICE SERVICE IN RELATION TO THE VAULTER BANDIT.

POLICE IN CALGARY DO NOT BELIEVE HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OTHER OFFENCES IN CALGARY SINCE THIS ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE WAS ISSUED IN APRIL 2011.

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance in identifying a man believed to be responsible for a series of bank robberies in Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area.

To assist with the investigation, the Canadian Bankers Association is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the offender who is known as the 'Vaulter Bandit' in Ontario.




Between Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, and Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, the suspect targeted four different Scotiabank locations in Calgary.

In all of the offences the suspect jumped over the counter, threatened staff and indicated that he had a gun. In one of the offences a handgun was seen by the victim.

The suspect is described as Caucasian, 30 to 35 years old, between 5'8" and 5'9" tall, approximately 150 lbs., with a slim build and a pale complexion.

Investigators believe that the same suspect is also responsible for 10 offences that were committed in the regions of York, Peel and Hamilton, between Feb. 3, 2010, and Sept. 11, 2010.

Police are releasing video and photographs of a man in the hope of identifying him. It is believed that he will have information relating to the offences in Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area. .

Anyone with information relating to the offences, or the identity of the man in the photographs, is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8787 or the non emergency number at 403-266-1234.

You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: tttTIPS.com
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

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