Escaped convicted murderer robbed 2 banks before being recaptured: Montreal police

Lory Bill Germa has been arrested after escaping from a prison near Montreal. (@OPP_WR/X)

Police say a convicted murderer who escaped from a minimum-security prison in Quebec earlier this month also robbed two banks in Montreal during the nearly three weeks he was unlawfully at large.

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) says Lory Bill Germa, 69, was arrested by Montreal police at about 7:45 p.m. Friday.

On July 5, he escaped from the Archambault Institution, a federal prison about 40 kilometres north of Montreal. Prison staff reported him missing after noticing he was absent during an inmate count.

Germa had been serving a life sentence for first-degree murder for a crime committed in 1992.

Montreal police allege he committed two robberies prior to his arrest on Friday.

They say on July 19, he went to a financial institution on Guy Street and handed over a threatening note demanding money before fleeing on foot with $400 in marked bills. Then, on July 22, he returned to the same bank and threatened an employee at the counter who handed him $500. He then fled.

Police say he will be returned to the prison into CSC custody.

The correctional service said in a statement on Friday that it is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.

“Ensuring the safety and security of its correctional institutions, staff, and the public remains the highest priority of the Correctional Service of Canada,” CSC said.

Montreal police are reminding the public to not defend themselves if they are a victim of a robbery and to hand over money to minimize the risk of being hurt. They also say people should call 911 to give police a suspect description and details on where they fled.

With files from The Canadian Press