Barrie Police didn't have to be called to a hold-up at a downtown bank Wednesday afternoon.
They were already there.
In a remarkable twist of fate, two Barrie beat cops actually passed the suspected robber as he left the Bank of Montreal at the corner of Mulcaster and Collier Streets.
The officers, part of a brand new Community Response Unit that patrols the downtown area on foot, just happened to be entering the bank at 2 p.m. in the seconds following the hold-up.
"I happened to attend this financial institution," said Constable Darryl Van Schubert.
"There was a male that walked out of the front door the same time I was walking in. As soon as I entered, a bank employee advised me that he had just pulled a weapon and tried to hold up the bank for money."
Police say the suspect was armed with a knife.
He did not get any money and quickly fled the bank empty-handed as the officers were walking in.
Van Schubert and his partner Const. Kristian Boehler instantly gave chase.
"We yelled 'Stop!' He looked over his shoulder and bolted," said Van Schubert who put the call over the air for other units to respond.
Officers flooded the area, including the Emergency Response Unit and two Canine Units.
"There was a short foot pursuit. He made his way into the building under construction into the stairwells of the parking garage," said Van Schubert.
Police dog Thor found the suspect in the building beside the bank.
An arresting officer said they heard the dog 'barking like crazy' and moved in to make the arrest.
"He was tucked under a stairwell in the lower levels of the parking garage adjacent to the bank," said Van Schubert.
"From the time I first observed him to the time he was in custody it was less than 30 minutes."
The bank was closed while the investigation continued.
A 32-year old man of no fixed address has been charged with robbery, weapons dangerous, four counts of breach of probation and one count of breach of recognizance.
He will appear in bail court Thursday morning.
2:45 p.m. update:
Barrie Police have taken an adult male into custody at the scene. More details to come.
Original story:
Barrie Police are warning the public to stay away from Mulcaster and Collier Streets as they search for a suspect in a bank robbery.
There is a heavy police presence following the robbery at the Bank of Montreal.
The suspect is described as white, thin and wearing a red ski jacket and dark blue jeans. Call 9-1-1 if you see him. He was last seen running east on Worsley Street.
