File photo.
Nanaimo RCMP arrested a suspect minutes after a bank robbery at a TD bank on Thursday.
Police said the robbery occurred at around 5:40 p.m. at the TD Canada Trust on Dufferin Crescent. A man allegedly entered the bank, produced a note and demanded money from a bank teller. According to police, the suspect left in a taxi parked outside the bank after money was handed over.
Officers were given a description of the suspect, which police said was similar to the man who had allegedly robbed a CIBC in the north end of Nanaimo on Oct. 29.
Minutes after the robbery at the TD bank, a taxi with two male passengers stopped near Comox Road and Prideaux Street. Police said one of the passengers matched the description of the suspect in the robbery at the TD bank. After a brief struggle with officers, the suspect was arrested and taken into custody. Officers also seized bear spray, a knife, a replica handgun and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The 46-year-old man was held in custody overnight and has consented to be remanded in police custody for 30 days. His name has not been released as charges have not been officially laid by Nanaimo Crown Counsel. Police also believe the man is responsible for the CIBC bank robbery and charges are expected for that robbery as well.
The second man in the taxi was held in custody but is not expected to face any charges related to the robbery.
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