Alleged bank robber denied bail

Bail was denied Wednesday to a man the Crown alleges was literally caught red-handed after robbing banks in Medicine Hat.

Citing the gravity of the offences and the impact granting bail would have on the public’s confidence in the justice system, Judge Ted Fisher sided with the Crown in denying bail to 31-year-old Ronald Joseph Big Bull, who faces multiple charges over three separate bank robberies and a bomb threat.

In all three robberies, the suspect was wearing clothing that obscured his face, and used what appeared to be a firearm — later identified as a BB Gun — and pointed it at people.

As part of the bail hearing, the Crown outlined its case against Big Bull — including allegations that he phoned in a bomb threat to the Servus Credit Union on Oct. 31, 2017, and then robbed an ATB financial bank on Nov. 9.

It’s also alleged that Big Bull robbed a CIBC bank on March 19 — but this attempt was fruitless, as it was a “cashless” branch.

On April 2, there was an armed robbery at the TD Canada Trust bank on Strachan Road. Civilians were able to give police details about the suspect’s vehicle.

This, the court heard, lead law enforcement to Big Bull who was parked at another location. They found him in his vehicle with clothes and hands covered in red dye due to exploded dye packets that bank staff put in with the cash taken during the robbery, the Crown said.

At the time of his arrest, Big Bull admitted to police his involvement in the previous robberies and bomb threat. He told police his actions were due to financial distress.

The court heard that Big Bull has no criminal record.

In arguing for Big Bull’s release, defence counsel submitted a letter from a police officer from the community the accused is from about his “exceptional character,” stateing he had confirmed employment, and that there could be conditions in his release that would address any concerns of the court.

Big Bull’s next court appearance is May 29.