Seeking public assistance in bank robberies

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance to identify suspects in a series of bank robberies that occurred between Monday, Aug. 17, 2015 and Monday, Sept. 14, 2015.

Investigators in the CPS Robbery Unit believe that three to four men committed four separate bank robberies and one robbery of a courier delivering on behalf of a bank. It is alleged that all five cases are connected.

All incidents were considered to be “take over” style, where employees and clients inside the bank were told to put their hands up as the suspects hopped over the counters. The suspects took money from behind the counter and in some cases also took personal belongings of bank employees. In each incident, suspects carried firearms and donned hoodies and unique masks to conceal their identities.

In one case, a child was in the bank during the robbery.  In another, a pregnant woman had to be taken to hospital for precautionary reasons. She has since been released.

Detectives are releasing photos of the suspects involved with each robbery and are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspects, or any of the items and clothing worn by the suspects. Citizens are asked to call the Robbery Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8787 or Crime Stoppers.

The bank robberies occurred on:

1.Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at approximately 12:15 p.m., at the Scotiabank located in the 300 block of Cranston Road S.E. Two masked men were involved.

2.Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at approximately 2:05 p.m., at the Scotiabank located in the 800 block of 19 Street N.E. Two masked men were involved.

3.Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at approximately 7:30 p.m., at the TD Canada Trust located in the 1000 block of Panatella Boulevard N.E. Ryan DAKU, 42, of Calgary, has been charged with three counts of robbery with a firearm and use of disguise. Two masked men are still outstanding.

4.Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at approximately 12:30 p.m., at the TD Canada Trust located in the 1600 block of 90 Avenue S.W.  Two masked men were involved.

A fifth incident occurred on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at approximately 6:45 p.m., in the 8200 block of Centre Street N.E. In this incident, two masked males approached a bank courier in the parking lot of a bank and demanded the courier’s bag. One of the males was armed with a shotgun.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit at 403-428-8787, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case # 15369287/3778