LPS charge man in connection to two armed robberies

Lethbridge Police have charged a man in connection with two armed robberies at the same bank in our city.

The incidents took place between March 17th and April 11th at the CIBC located on 13th Street North.

In both cases a lone man entered the bank, pointed a firearm at employees and demanded money. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. Fortunately no one was injured during either robbery. The suspect was later arrested on April 25th.

Fifty-one year old Jamie Gerard Bagu faces various charges including two counts each of robbery with a firearm.

Staff Sgt. Pete Christos with the Criminal Investigation Unit of the LPS says the Victim Services Unit worked with staff at the bank to ensure they were okay. He also said there are stiff charges related to firearms offences.

“Under the Criminal Code, when a restricted firearm is used in the commission of offense such as this as robbery ,the minimum punishment in the first case is five years, and in a second occurrence is up to seven years. And that’ll be up to the courts to decide. It’s not every day that we even hear this type of crime happening, let alone in a bank. So I know that our Victim Services people have been in touch with them constantly, and I’m certain that CIBC Corporate has reached out and taken care of their staff as well.”

Bagu remains behind bars and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28th.