A would-be bank robber’s escape plan was ironically thwarted after another unrelated thief nabbed the suspect’s getaway bike.
The amateur bank robber tried to escape after the attempted robbery heading south, only to discover another criminal had stolen his bike, Hamilton police said in a press release.
The unidentified suspect, wearing a long multi-colored scarf, sunglasses, a surgical mask and a black jacket, rode a bicycle to the BMO bank in Hamilton, Ontario, around 12:30 p.m. on December 18.
Leaving his bike parked outside, the masked man entered the bank, approached the teller and “passed him a note demanding cash,” before verbally threatening the employee, suggesting he was carrying a gun, police said.
The man was then confronted by other employees before fleeing empty-handed.
However, when he returned to the location of his two-wheeler, he shockingly discovered that the bike was missing.
“Upon leaving BMO Bank, the suspect returned to his bike rack only to discover that a fellow offender had stolen his bike,” the statement said.
The unidentified suspect, wearing a long multi-colored scarf, sunglasses, a surgical mask and a black jacket, rode a bicycle to the BMO bank in Hamilton, Ontario, around 12:30 p.m. on December 18.
Leaving his bike parked outside, the masked man entered the bank (pictured), approached the teller and “passed him a note demanding cash”, before verbally threatening the employee, suggesting he was carrying a gun.
With no other option, the “dazed and confused” near-thief kicked his legs at full speed and fled on foot.
“The suspect was last seen near Upper Paradise Road and Elmwood Avenue,” police said.
Authorities were able to obtain photographs of the failed bank and bicycle robber using nearby security cameras.
The bank robbery suspect is described as a white male who is between five feet four and five feet eight inches tall.
The bicycle thief, who is also still at large, is described only as a man dressed in dark clothes.
Hamilton police said they are investigating and are now searching for both suspects.
The man was then confronted by other employees before fleeing empty-handed. However, when he returned to the location of his two-wheeler, he shockingly discovered that the bike was missing.
Authorities were able to obtain photographs of the failed bank robber and the bicycle thief using nearby security cameras; The bicycle thief, who also remains at large, is described only as a man wearing dark clothing.
Vehicle theft is on the rise in Canada, as earlier this year, Toronto residents attempted to curb out-of-control crime by hiding their cars in secret locations and hideouts with 24-hour security.
The revelation, reported by The New York TimesIt followed a federal Liberal announcement at a national summit aimed at addressing the issue nationally.
The publication spoke to collectors who have begun storing luxury cars in compounds with hired guards and dogs at night, only to be stolen.
The cars are often stolen and shipped abroad, experts said at this month’s conference.
An investigation in 2022 tracked a stolen car from Ottawa to a parking lot in Nigeria.
Some have blamed the increase on the government’s requirement for immobilizers in vehicles, as thieves have begun using devices that trick anti-theft technology into thinking the thief has a key.
Others have cited lax laws from Justin Trudeau, who in turn has blamed the previous Conservative government.
Meanwhile, an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen each year and car theft has increased 150 percent in six years in Canada’s largest city, Toronto.
Even though residents go to great lengths to protect their vehicles, car thefts are increasing everywhere in Canada’s provinces (50 percent in Quebec, 48 percent in Ontario, 34 percent in Atlantic Canada and 18 percent in percent in Alberta), costing residents about $1.2 billion a year. .