Toronto Police and the Canadian Bankers Association have increased the reward on offer for information leading to the capture of the so-called "Vaulter Bandit," a man they believe is responsible for at least 18 bank robberies across Canada.
The CBA previously offered a $10,000 reward for his capture in 2010, and increased it to $20,000 in 2011.
"I'm announcing an increase in that award from $20,000 to $50,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the Vaulter Bandit," William Crate of the CBA said at a news conference Wednesday.
"It is the risk this crime poses to innocent people, that we're concerned with, not the money that's lost," Crate said.
The robber was dubbed the "Vaulter Bandit," after a string of initial robberies in York Region in 2010 where he vaulted over bank counters with a handgun. After targeting York Region, the Vaulter Bandit went on to rob banks in Mississauga and Hamilton in the same style. In early 2011, police identified the same man in four bank robberies in ten days in Calgary.
"Came in and out of Calgary like a tornado," Toronto Police Staff Insp. Mike Earl said.
Police said he then returned to Ontario, where he robbed a bank in Ottawa in May 2011, as well as several more in York Region.
His most recent robbery was on a TD Bank on Clock Tower Road in Toronto, his first robbery in the city of Toronto.
However, police said that his technique has changed.
Earl said the robber arrived at the bank as it was opening, "confronted the employees as they were opening the doors, produced an automatic style handgun, and ordered the employees into the bank, and eventually into the vault."
Police have released several images and videos of the Vaulter Bandit. He is a white male, 5'8" to 5'10" and of medium build. He is pictured with glasses, but police said they could be a prop. Police also made special note of his athleticism.
"He's so fit, he literally hurdles overtop that counter," Earl said.
Police said they do not believe the Vaulter Bandit is a drug user or has any other regular habits, and added they strongly believe he is hiding in plain sight.
Police said the bandit is "probably living a normal life... maybe somebody's thinking 'It can't be the neighbour. It looks like him, but it can't be him.' Those are the people we need to call," Earl said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto Police Hold-Up Squad at (416) 808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
