Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
March 12, 2019 - 1:46 PM
SALMON ARM - A Salmon Arm man has been arrested in connection with two brazen armoured guard robberies and bank explosions in Edmonton last year.
In a press release, the robbery section of the Edmonton Police Service announced Justin Byron, 38, from Salmon Arm was arrested on March 4 at the Edmonton International Airport after months of investigation.
Salmon Arm RCMP confirmed they recently searched an address at Grandview Bench Road in relation to the Edmonton police's investigation into the Byron case.
Edmonton police say on Sept. 19, 2018, at around 2:35 a.m., two guards were driving an armoured truck at a financial institution near 27 Avenue and 141 Street in Edmonton as part of their deliveries. When the first guard entered the vestibule of the bank, an explosion went off, disorienting both guards, who immediately drew their firearms. The guards were uninjured and no money was stolen.
A similar incident occurred at a financial institution near 81 Street and 160 Avenue in Edmonton on Dec. 13, 2018 at 2 a.m. Two armoured guards walked into the vestibule of the bank and a explosion detonated, knocking one of them to the ground. The other guard ran to get cover when another explosion went off.
A man was alleged to have entered the vestibule, grabbed the deposit bag and fled into a nearby parked pick-up truck. The guards were treated for non-life threatening injuries at a hospital.
Edmonton police say a thorough investigation was conducted over the last three months, coordinating with Salmon Arm RCMP until they arrested Byron at the Edmonton airport in connection to the robberies.
Staff Sgt. Rob Mills of the Edmonton police robbery section said they caught him just in time.
“We believe the accused was planning another incident, and we’re happy that we prevented another attack," Mills said in the release.
Byron is charged with two counts of robbery with firearm, two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of disguise with intent, four counts of using an explosive device, two counts of possession of an explosive material and four counts of aggravated assault. He's set to appear in an Edmonton court on March 15.
“The RCMP will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure that people that commit crimes in one jurisdiction cannot hide in another," said Salmon Arm Staff Sgt. Scott West in the release.
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