A man is in custody and facing charges in connection to two armed robberies at the same bank in north Lethbridge. The incidents happened on March 17 and April 11 at the CIBC on 13 Street North and police say a vehicle with distinctive features helped identify the suspect.
“In both cases a lone male entered the bank, pointed a firearm at employees and demanded money,” reads a news release from the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS). “He fled with undisclosed amounts of cash. No one was injured during either robbery.”
After the second robbery, surveillance footage showed the distinctive vehicle fleeing the scene and police say officers were able to locate it and identify the suspect, who was arrested on April 25.
A search warrant was executed for a home and two vehicles along Waterton Road South on the day of the arrest and police say they seized two firearms, including a handgun consistent with the weapon used in the robberies, cash with serial numbers that matched money stolen during the first robbery and clothing consistent with surveillance images of the subject.
Jamie Gerard Bagu, 51, faces two counts each of robbery with a firearm, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, pointing a firearm, use of a firearm while committing an offence, disguised with intent and one count each of assault with a weapon and unsafe storage of a firearm.
He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.