A $50,000 reward has been announced for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in eight violent robberies of Greater Toronto Area banks this summer.
The robberies date back to June 1, 2013 and have occurred in banks across the GTA, including five in Toronto, two in the Region of Peel, and one in York Region. Police said branches of the Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, Royal Bank and the National Bank were targeted in the robberies.
William Crate, the director of security for the Canadian Bankers Association which is offering the reward, described the robberies as a "personal crime" rather than an economic one.
"The banking industry is not concerned about the money lost at all, but we are concerned about the innocent people affected and that’s our employees and customers," Crate told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.
According to Staff Insp. Mike Earl of the Toronto Police Service, during the robberies tellers have been pistol whipped, pushed, grabbed by the hair and in one instance, trapped in a choke hold while the suspects were demanding money.
"These individuals are coming in, masked, armed with handguns and jumping the counters," Earl said.
He said all the robberies happened during midday while the banks were busy and full of people, including children and the elderly.
In each incident at least two male suspects entered the bank, produced a firearm and removed a quantity of cash before fleeing. Sometimes the bandits are wearing gardening gloves.
Earl did not reveal how much money has been taken, emphasizing that police are more concerned with the “escalation of violence” and ending the “reign of terror.”
He said he believes there are at least two groups involved in the bank robberies, but can’t say for certain that they are working together.
The suspects are described as in their early 20s, and between five feet eight and six feet tall.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
