Police nab suspect in northside bank robberies

By Lethbridge Herald on April 27, 2023.

Police attend the scene outside of the CIBC on 13 Street North after it was robbed earlier this month. Charges have been laid against a man in connection with two armed robberies at the same bank. Herald file photo by Al Beeber

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge Police have charged a 51-year-old man in connection with two armed robberies at the same bank. The incidents occurred on March 17 and April 11 at the CIBC on 13 Street North. 

LPS Staff Sgt. Pete Christos with the criminal investigation section spoke to reporters Thursday morning and said the name of the 51-year-old man is Jamie Gerard Bagu. 

“Bagu is charged with two counts each of robbery with a firearm, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, pointing a firearm, use of a firearm while committing an offence, disguised with intent and one count each of assault with a weapon and unsafe storage of a firearm,” said Christos. 

The charges stem from the incidents involving the CIBC bank robbery where, in both cases, a lone male entered the bank, pointed a firearm at employees and demanded money. 

Christos said there is no indication that anybody else was involved. 

“He fled with undisclosed amounts of cash. No one was injured during either robbery. A subject vehicle with distinctive features was identified following the second robbery after it was recorded on CCTV leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Through follow-up investigation police later located the vehicle and identified a suspect,” said Christos. 

He said on Monday Bagu was arrested without incident and police subsequently executed a search warrant at a home along Waterton Road South and two vehicles. 

“During the search, police seized two firearms, including a handgun consistent with the weapon used in the robberies, Canadian currency with serial numbers that matched money stolen during the first robbery and clothing consistent with surveillance images of the subject,” said Christos. He said both firearms were registered to Bagu. 

“Under the Criminal Code, when a restricted firearm is used in the commission of an offence such as this robbery, the minimum punishment in the first case is five years and a second recurrence is up to seven years, and that’ll be up to the courts to decide,” said Christos.

Christos said that even though this is not something that usually happens in Lethbridge – he has been in the city for over 20 years and has never heard of an armed robbery of this level – when it comes to being in a bank where a robbery takes place with a firearm, it is best to stay calm and comply. 

“Anytime there’s a firearm used in a business, whether it’s a bank or anything else, I would suggest that comply whatever their wishes are. Do not provoke these individuals because you never know where their mental status is at. Always comply and be the best possible witness you can be,” said Christos. 

Bagu has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court today. 

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