Explosives used in Edmonton robbery

Two security guards injured in overnight bank lobby blast

EDMONTON— Police say two security guards were injured in an explosion that occurred during an overnight armed bank robbery in northeast Edmonton. The guards — a male and a female believed to be employed by Garda-World — suffered significant head and facial injuries in the blast that happened around 2 a.m., at a Scotiabank branch at 81 St. and 160 Ave., police said.

Police said the blast occurred in the bank lobby.

They also say the guards were involved in a confrontation with a male armed with a gun, who was wearing a disguise. The robber got away with an unknown amount of money and is still being sought.

Because of the disguise, police said they didn’t have a description.

A spokesperson from Alberta Health Services said the male guard is in serious but stable condition, and the female is in stable condition.

The union representing the two injured guards called the incident “gutless and cowardly,” and expressed concern over what they say is a rare use of an improvised explosive device.

“The use of an improvised explosive device (IED) represents a shift from normal armoured car robbery tactics, which usually involve knives or guns,” a release by the union, Teamsters Canada, said. The union represents more than 2,000 armoured guards across the country.

“Armoured car crews are professionals who put their lives on the line every day, but they don’t expect to face IEDs when they go to work,” said Al Porter, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 362. “The two guards did everything right last night.”

Karan Singh, a clerk at 7-Eleven, told CTV Edmonton he was in a back room when he heard what sounded like a bomb blast. Singh said he heard two explosions and when he came out to see what was happening, a customer told him that he had heard people screaming down the street. Commuters were asked to avoid the area while police investigated.