With the assistance of the community, #1 District investigators arrested a man just three days after he robbed an elderly woman inside an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) vestibule in July.
In November, the 35-year-old pleaded guilty to the violent robbery in a Newmarket court.
“I was thrilled that our police service and community banded together, inspired by the strength of this 81-year-old woman,” said Superintendent Mike Slack.
She didn’t go down without a fight. With sunglasses obscuring his face, the attacker followed her into the Aurora bank on July 31, watching as she withdrew $500 in cash from the ATM. Immediately, he reached to swipe the cash from the woman, but she held her ground, clenching the bills in her fist.
The senior told police she fought to keep the man in the vestibule for as long as she could, so his face would be captured by bank security cameras. After the struggle, the man threw the woman to the floor, before making off in broad daylight with all but one $20 bill.
A canvass of businesses near the intersection of Yonge and Wellington Streets turned up video footage of the suspect running westbound from the scene, but did nothing to provide officers with his identity. Armed with surveillance video from the bank, investigators
turned to media partners and members of the community on social media for assistance.
One day after he chose to commit the vicious robbery, the suspect’s face was plastered on television screens across the province via nightly news broadcasts, while millions of social media users watched the video and read the appeal for help.
Help came in droves. Within hours, officers had their man, after receiving several tips from the public.
“It was obvious that the public were engaged in this case and wanted to help police bring it to a successful conclusion,” said Superintendent Slack.
“Their teamwork ensured this man was held accountable for his actions.”
Read the rest of the 2017 Annual Report
Want to know how else York Regional Police made a difference in its community last year? Read our 2017 annual report.
