Police agencies across Canada are joining a social media campaign in an effort to catch one of the country’s most notorious bank robbers.
The suspect, known as 'The Vaulter’ for his typical method of committing heists by brazenly jumping across bank teller counters to get at cash, has been linked to 17 incidents in such cities as Calgary, Vaughan, Ont., Markham, Ont. and Hamilton.
Police say the 17 heists took place between Feb. 2010 and Dec. 2011.
York Regional Police has set up a page devoted to the case on their website with links to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube, police say.
The YouTube video asks viewers, “Do you know The Vaulter?” and includes a slew of images and video of the baseball cap-clad suspect during bank heists.
The suspect’s last-known hold-up took place at a bank in Vaughan, Ont. nearly 18 months ago. Police say the robber was unsuccessful that time, and credit a bank employee who kicked him in the groin.
But Det.-Sgt. Michael Fleischaker of York Regional Police says it’s unlikely the man simply gave up on a life of crime following the two-year robbing spree.
“I think if anything he’s maybe changed his MO again, whether he’s masking himself and conducting robberies in a different fashion now, in a different area, or whether or not he’s just moved to another type of criminal act,” Fleischaker said.
The suspect is described as a white male, 45 to 55 years old, between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10, and 170 to 190 lbs.
The Canadian Bankers Association has also posted a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender.
Anyone with information is asked to contact York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers tips are not eligible for the $20,000 reward.
With a report from CTV Toronto’s Tamara Cherry
