Nanaimo RCMP has arrested a 34-year man after he attempted to rob a local bank and steal money from an elderly gentleman.
The incident took place at around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, outside of the Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, located at 6581 Aulds Road.
RCMP are describing the robbery as a “botched attempt” as police say the man was taken into custody before managed to successfully steal any money.
According to a report, officers were initially responding to a report of a shoplifting from Sport Chek, which is located at the Woodgrove Centre. According to RCMP, officers had been informed that a man had allegedly stole some clothing and was last seen running from the store into the parking lot with clothing.
Police say that the man was seen in the parking lot attempting to remove security tags from the stolen items, however, he was unsuccessful.
As a result of being unable to remove the tags, the man left the clothing behind and proceed to attempt robbing the nearest bank.
Once in the bank, he demanded money from a clerk but at the last second, he couldn’t go through with it and left empty-handed.
The man wasn’t quite finished for as he left the bank, he attempted to take money from an elderly man who was making a withdrawal from an ATM.
Police say that despite the elderly man being confronted, he had no intentions of handing over his cash, so, once again, the suspect left empty-handed. In this instance, threats were made toward the elderly gentleman but no weapon was produced.
The unsuccessful robber proceeded to a nearby Staples and it was there when RCMP officers met him with handcuffs.
Thirty-four-year-old William Joseph Lesieur was formally charged on Wednesday, May 12, with two counts of Robbery and one of Theft Under $5,000.
Lesieur is expected to make an appearance in Nanaimo Provincial court later on this date.
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