Explosives used in Edmonton bank robbery; 2 guards hurt

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 GardaWorld — 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 suspect got away with an unknown amount of money and is still being sought.

Because of the disguise, police said they don’t have a suspect description at this time.

A spokesperson from Alberta Health Services said one of the guards, the male, 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.”

On Thursday morning, police had closed 160 Ave., east of 82 St. They taped off the area around the bank, and most of the Plaza 160, a professional building across the street from the crime scene.

Police cruisers were still on site, along with a GardaWorld armoured truck in front of the bank, and a couple of security company vehicles at a 7-Eleven convenience store across the street.

Clerk Karan Singh told CTV he was in a back room when he heard what sounded like a 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.

Commuters were asked to avoid the area while police investigated.

Nemanja Dragicevic, a resident who lives kitty-corner to the bank, was awake around the time of the incident, but had left his Belle Rive home just before the explosion to pick up his mail. He was even planning to stop at the convenience store, but changed his mind at the last minute.

“Honestly, if I would have left the house five minutes later, I would have seen that happen,” said Dragicevic, 25.

Driving back north along 82 St. shortly before 2:30 a.m., he said he was surprised to see police, ambulance, and fire crews lined up down the road. Having lived in the neighbourhood for about 15 years, Dragicevic said he has seen minor crimes, but never anything to this extent. He regularly walks his dog around the bank, describing the area as quiet.