The CIBC bank in Colwood was robbed at gun point for the second time in five weeks.
On Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. a man walked into the crowded bank with a red balaclava covering his face. He pulled out a hand gun and demanded a cloth shopping bag be filled with money.
Bank clients, including parents with their children, watched as tellers accepted the man’s demand. No shots were fired and nobody was injured.
The robber made off on foot toward Island Highway with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police believe the incident may be related to a March 2 armed robbery at the same CIBC location at 310 Goldstream Ave. in Juan de Fuca Centre plaza.
“There’s many similarities at first glance,” said Const. Julie Chanin with West Shore RCMP, pointed out that in both instances a black hand gun was drawn and the suspect had a similar description and demeanor.
“The way the crime was carried out, it suggests it wasn’t a random, sudden decision to rob a bank. It was planned and well thought out,” Chanin said.
In the March 2 incident, the suspect wore a dust mask and safety vest, while the recent robber wore a black hoody with red sleeves and jeans.
In both cases the male suspect was described as white, approximately six feet tall, and slim or medium build. A partial face shot captured on security footage Saturday reveals that the suspect has a white trimmed beard or goatee. He’s estimated to be 50 to 60 years old.
The RCMP Island District Forensic Identification Unit from Victoria also investigated the scene looking for fingerprints, shoe impressions or fibers that could help lead them to a suspect.
Witness statements were taken from everyone in the bank, but West Shore RCMP are still seeking the public’s assistance.
“Anyone who saw anything unusual outside the bank at that time, we’d ask them to come forward,” Chanin said. “The suspect may have changed his clothes, he may have got in a vehicle or on a bus — there’s a lot that could help us piece the case together.”
Anyone with information regarding this crime or the identity of the suspect can call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).