‘Surgical Mask Bandit’ needed money for drugs
Fake gun used to rob people of cash after using ATMs
A man who committed a dozen robberies and was nicknamed the “Surgical Mask Bandit” by police has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Travis Jensen-Pickford, 25, was sentenced following a hearing Thursday in Surrey provincial court. He pleaded guilty in November to 12 counts of robbery, one count of using an imitation firearm and one count of breaching bail conditions.
Jensen-Pickford committed his crimes during a four-week spree in May and June of 2013, in White Rock, Surrey and Delta.
According to submissions made during sentencing, Jensen-Pickford approached people who were using automated teller machines late at night or early in the morning, pointed a fake gun at them and demanded money. The largest amount he stole was $500. In some cases he left with nothing.
Jensen-Pickford always had his face covered, either by a surgical mask or a bandana. In two cases, male victims didn’t believe the gun was real and fought back.
One man grabbed the gun and punched Jensen-Pickford in the head twice. Another tried to “kick his balls,” pushed him and chased him for a short distance.
One woman told him she thought his gun was fake. She asked why he needed the cash and he said he needed to buy a bus ticket to the South Cariboo area to fight in court for his young daughter. The woman gave him $40.
After an extensive police investigation, Jensen-Pickford was arrested at his home on June 15, 2013. Police searched his home and found clothing worn during the robberies, an imitation firearm and cash.
During a statement to police, Jensen-Pickford admitted to committing the robberies and said he used the money to buy drugs — he was addicted to heroin and cocaine — help his sick mother and support his ex-girlfriend and child.
In his reasons for sentence, Judge Peder Gulbransen noted that Jensen-Pickford had no prior criminal record, was a relatively youthful offender and had taken responsibility for his offending by pleading guilty, confessing to police and writing an apology letter.
Jensen-Pickford has done programs in custody and had only one positive drug test since his arrest.
“He has demonstrated some significant motivation to stay off the road of crime and to stay off drugs,” Gulbransen said.
However, Gulbransen also recognized that Jensen-Pickford has a high level of moral culpability. The crimes were planned, and targeted victims who were isolated and vulnerable. Gulbransen said it was also aggravating that Jensen-Pickford used what appeared to be a weapon to intimidate the victims.
In sentencing Jensen-Pickford, Gulbransen gave him credit for the time he spent in pre-trial custody, subtracting 13 months from his sentence. Jensen-Pickford will serve a further three years, 11 months.