RCMP believe the suspects in a Monday bank robbery in Chase made a false call to police in an attempt to draw their resources away from the area.
“There are indications that the suspects called in a false report of shots fired in the North Shuswap, in order to draw police away from the downtown core just prior to the robbery,” says Sgt. Gary Heebner of the Chase detachment.
On Nov. 30, at approximately 1:20 p.m., a man walked into the Royal Bank of Canada branch in Chase, brandished a long-barrelled firearm and demanded money.
After obtaining an undisclosed quantity of cash, the man departed the bank and got into the passenger side of a newer white GMC SUV.
The vehicle headed southbound on Chase Street, and may have turned onto the Trans-Canada Highway, but the direction of travel is unknown.
No one was injured in this incident, and there were no customers in the bank at the time.
The male suspect was disguised, but is described as being approximately five feet 10 inches tall, and 180 to 190 pounds. He was wearing a white hoodie with a “Fox” logo on the chest, a multi-coloured balaclava, black pants and gloves, and carried a black fabric grocery-type bag. The second suspect driving the SUV was not seen.
During the same time frame as the robbery, police were seen surrounding a house on Beatty Avenue in the North Shuswap community of Scotch Creek.
RCMP say if you see, or know of, these robbery suspects, do not approach them, as they are considered to be armed and dangerous. Call 911 immediately.
Chase RCMP is asking anyone with information about this crime to call the Chase Detachment at 250-679-3221 or Crime Stoppers.
Due to the police response in the North Shuswap, students at North Shuswap Elementary had a slightly longer school day than usual. The RCMP had the road closed for a brief time while investigating an incident so the school buses were unable to get to the school.
Police let traffic through around 2:30 p.m., at which time the buses went to the school and transported students home.