Reward for ‘Old Man Winter Bandit’
Thief has robbed eight banks in West
Dubbed the Old Man Winter Bandit, a senior who has robbed eight banks in Western Canada has eluded police for three years.
And on Wednesday, the Canadian Bankers Association offered up a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
He was given the nickname by Edmonton police for his age and propensity to strike when the weather turns cold. He has been linked to robberies in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Police say the robber either produces a note or demands money from the bank, and claims he is armed with a gun, though none has been seen.
“At this time we don’t have anything to indicate that he’s working with anyone,” said robbery unit Staff Sgt. Bruce Walker,
Police say he also stole cash from two tellers’ registers in Edmonton stores.
He has been connected to a robbery dating back to 2009 in Sherwood Park, and five others in 2011 and 2012 in Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Investigators in Calgary say they suspect he struck in Calgary earlier this year. They have linked him to robberies on April 2 in the 200 block of Shawville Blvd. S.W. and on May 10 in the 8800 block of Country Hills Blvd. N.W.
Malcolm Chivers, manager of fraud and security for the Canadian Bankers Association, said this is the 11th time the association has offered a reward.
“The actual award is for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible,” he said.
While many people tend to think of the holdups as economic crimes, Chivers said the effects on staff can be traumatic.
“One thing we’d like to recognize is that the bank robbery is actually an emotional crime and a personal crime, not an economic crime. The money that is stolen isn’t what’s important to us. What is often overlooked is that there are innocent people involved in the robberies,” said Chivers.
Police have released photos of the suspect.
He is described as Caucasian, 50 to 60 years old, between 5’8” and 6’, with a medium build.
Police say during the robberies he typically wears sunglasses on his head, that his face is often red and he has shaky hands.