Snake stick-up: Calgary man arrested after bank robbery involving scaly threat

Calgary police have arrested a man they say was involved in two bank robberies, one of which involved a threat about a venomous snake.
Police were called to investigate after a man entered an RBC bank at 740 Eighth Ave. S.E. at about 11 a.m. on March 7.
They say the man was wearing a disguise and passed a note to an employee, demanding cash.
He fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money and bank staff called police.
"Upon arrival, police collected witness statements, including a description of the suspect. Our robbery unit detectives were able to quickly identify a possible location for the suspect at a nearby hotel," police said in a release.
By the time officers attended the hotel, they determined the suspect had already checked out, but found he had gotten a room at another hotel.
"The suspect was located and arrested at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino, located at 11500 35th St. S.E.," police said.
The suspect was released with conditions pending his next court date, but police say he entered another bank a few days later and threatened employees.
"At approximately 11:40 a.m., on Friday, March 10, 2023, the suspect entered a TD bank located at 3510 Garrison Gate S.W., and handed a note to an employee demanding cash while claiming he was in possession of a poisonous snake," police said in a statement.
Police say the suspect fled the scene in a taxi, but investigators were able to quickly locate and apprehend him.
Officials say the suspect did not have a snake after all.
Wyatt Robert Boden, 38, is charged with two counts of robbery, two counts of wearing a disguise with intent, taxi fraud and breaching a probation order.
"Our investigators and frontline patrol acted quickly and were able to connect various key pieces of evidence that ultimately resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in a timely manner," said Staff Sgt. Rod Harbidge of the CPS robbery unit.
Harbridge says while "it is frustrating" Boden reoffended so quickly after being released, police are grateful for the co-operation of witnesses, bank employees and the taxi service who all aided in his arrest.
Boden is set to appear in court on March 21.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden and Trudeau announce updates on clean energy, migration and defence
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.

LIVE UPDATES | Watch live coverage of U.S. President Joe Biden's trip to Canada
As Joe Biden makes his first trip to Canada as president of the United States, CTVNews.ca is offering live coverage of the leader's visit. Follow our live blog on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app for the latest updates.
Incredible photos show northern lights dancing across much of Canada
Sky-gazers and shutterbugs across much of Canada were treated to a spectacular display of northern lights Thursday night and into Friday morning.
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Canada’s Ivvavik National Park among most remote and beautiful places in the world: Big 7 Travel
Global travel site Big 7 Travel ranked the most remote and beautiful places in the world, and only one Canadians location—Ivvavik national park—is among them.
Eugene Levy, Sarah Polley, Jean Chretien, the two Michaels among guests at Biden gala dinner
Notable people will be in attendance at Friday’s gala dinner with U.S. President Joe Biden, hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, including former prime ministers and celebrities.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau introduces Jill Biden to curling during Ottawa visit
The first lady of the United States got a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa Friday as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau took Jill Biden to the curling rink for her first trip to Ottawa.
U.S.-Canada migration deal aims to end walk-around crossings
The immigration deal announced Friday by U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aims to shut down a process that has enabled tens of thousands of immigrants from across the world to move between the two countries along a back road between New York state and Quebec.
W5 Investigates | 'Canadians should be very concerned about their drinking water': W5 investigates asbestos cement pipes
W5 investigates aging asbestos pipes across Canada and the potential health hazards if it ends up in your tap water. Watch W5's 'Something in the Water' Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.