File # 14-51763
Date: Friday, November 21st, 2014
Victoria BC – VicPD’s Analysis and Intelligence Section (AIS) is being credited for identifying and, in an unusual turn of events, apprehending a bank robber.
Officers were called to a bank in the 700-block of Yates Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17th for a report of a robbery.
Staff stated a man had come into the bank and demanded cash, claiming he had a gun. Staff gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled.
Numerous officers, including members of VicPD’s Forensic Identification Team attended and started trying to identify the suspect.
Using some unique physical identifiers, members of VicPD’s Analysis and Intelligence section, including the High-Risk Offender officer, speculated it could be a wanted parolee. Further investigation by AIS revealed more information that led the staff to strongly suspect they were on the right track.
Later the next day, one of the members of AIS was out downtown and saw the suspect walking down the street. He called for uniformed members and the suspect was quickly apprehended.
The 43-year-old Victoria man was arrested and found in possession of evidence from the robbery. Detectives have recommended a single charge of Robbery.
“This case is a fantastic example of how every member of VicPD, whether it’s a sworn officer or a dedicated member of our professional support staff, pulls together to keep our communities safe,” said VicPD Chief Constable Frank Elsner. “These types of events can be very traumatic and we’re glad that we were able to take this man into custody in under 24-hours.”
VicPD’s Analysis and Intelligence section is made up of professional support staff and plain-clothes police officers who help analyze and link crime trends to assist the public and officers be more aware of trending issues in our community.