Shuswap man arrested after Alberta explosions
Armoured guards hurt by explosions during bank robbery in Edmonton
A Salmon Arm man was arrested in Edmonton in connection to a pair of robberies and explosions.
On Sept. 19, 2018, two armoured guards were making their deliveries at a bank in Edmonton at 2:35 a.m.
“As the first employee entered the vestibule, an explosion occurred, disorienting both employees, who then drew their firearms,” Edmonton police said in a news release Tuesday.
The two guards were uninjured, and no money was lost during the attack.
On Dec. 13, a second incident occurred at another Edmonton bank at 2 a.m.
Two armoured guards walked into the vestibule of the bank, when an explosion knocked one of them to the ground.
The second employee retreated from the bank to seek cover, when a second explosion occurred.
The male suspect allegedly entered the vestibule, grabbed the deposit bag and ran to a pickup truck parked nearby.
The guards were treated and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
An ongoing investigation ended with Edmonton Police Service tactical members arresting 38year-old Justin Byron of Salmon Arm on March 4 at the Edmonton International Airport.
“This arrest came about as a result of some excellent police work from the EPS robbery section and many areas within our police service,” said Staff Sgt. Rob Mills of the Edmonton Police. “We’re grateful to our RCMP law enforcement partners in Salmon Arm, B.C., who also played a key role in bringing our investigation to a successful conclusion.”
Byron is facing multiple charges, including two counts of robbery with a firearm, two counts of attempted robbery, four counts of using an explosive device, two counts of possession of explosive material, four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of disguise with intent.
“We believe the accused was planning another incident, and we’re happy that we prevented another attack,” said Mills.
Byron is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
“The RCMP will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure that people that commit crimes in one jurisdiction cannot hide in another,” said Sgt. Scott West of the Salmon Arm RCMP. “People who do commit criminal acts will be held accountable for their actions, no matter where the crimes took place.”