Hamilton-area bank robber flees on foot after bike stolen during failed robbery

Hamilton police release surveillance images of a man wanted for a failed bank robbery. (Hamilton Police)

An alleged would-be thief was left without a getaway vehicle after another thief stole it mid-robbery.

Hamilton police say they responded to a robbery call at a Bank of Montreal (BMO) branch on Upper Paradise Road near Mohawk Road West on Wed. Dec. 18 at 12:30 p.m.

Officers say a man who arrived on a bicycle entered the bank and passed a note demanding cash to a bank teller. Police also allege the man verbally threatened the employee and made a motion that he had a weapon on him.

Fellow banks employees confronted the man and he left empty-handed, police say.

Upon exiting the bank, police say the attempted robber discovered his bike had been stolen while inside. He then fled on foot.

Police say the attempted bank robber is described as a white man, between the height of five-foot-four and five-foot-eight. He was wearing a long, multi-coloured scarf, black sunglasses, blue surgical mask, black jacket with fur trim, black gloves, dark pants, and white shoes.

The bike thief is described as a man who was wearing all black.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) or CrimeStoppers.