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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.