RCMP have arrested an individual in connection to a string of recent bank robberies in Southern Manitoba.
The first, and attempted robbery, happened at TD Canada Trust on November 10th. Police say the man did not obtain any money.
Four days later, on November 14th, there was a bank robbery in Lowe Farm, followed by one in Glenboro on December 8th and one in Miami on both December 23rd and January 3rd.
Today, RCMP announced they have made an arrest and that the same individual is believed to be responsible for all five crimes. On Monday of this week, 30-year-old Brett Ashton Krashel of Morden was remanded into custody on five counts of Robbery. He was arrested without incident.
These robberies, initially investigated by the various RCMP detachments of jurisdiction, involved the suspect entering the bank, providing the teller a note stating that it was a robbery, and then the suspect fleeing the scene. In some instances, the suspect indicated in the note that he had a firearm. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in four of the robberies with Steinbach being the exception. No injuries were reported and no weapon was produced.
Due to the similarities of the robberies, RCMP Major Crime Services assumed responsibility for the investigation. They examined extensive video surveillance and were able to determine that the suspect had worn similar clothing during each of the robberies but had fled the scene in a different vehicle each time.
The investigation continued and with the execution of several Judicial Authorizations, officers were able to identify a suspect. With this information, officers then executed search warrants at two separate residences, one in the RM of Hanover and the other in the City of Morden. The search of these residences resulted in the seizure of key pieces of evidence including cash and clothing.
"This was a difficult investigation with crime scenes spread out across southern Manitoba. I would like to commend the investigators who quickly recognized the similarities of these crimes and worked tenaciously to identify and safely arrest the suspect," says Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill, Commanding Officer of the Manitoba RCMP. "It's also our hope that this arrest will bring back a sense of safety to the employees and communities who were affected by these robberies."
RCMP Major Crime Services continues to investigate.