Suspect with history of violence charged for Kelowna bank robbery

KELOWNA – A dangerous suspect with a history of violence has been formally charged with robbing a Kelowna bank last weekend.

On March 22 RCMP issued a warning that Michael Joseph Craswell, 37, was suspected of robbing the Mission branch of Scotiabank March 21. Const. Jesse O’Donaghey warned anyone who sees him not to approach, calling him “dangerous.”

Just before 3 p.m. March 21, police were called to the Scotiabank branch at 3275 Lakeshore Rd. A lone man entered the bank, stood in line for a teller, then approached a teller with a handwritten 'robbery note.' He didn't produce a weapon but said he had a gun. He fled the bank with cash.

Court records show Craswell was charged with robbery March 24 and O'Donaghey says a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Craswell has a criminal history in B.C. going back to 2011 when he was charged with assault and uttering threats. He was also found guilty of breach of a probation order in June 2011, two breaches in 2012 and one in February of this year.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

– This story was corrected 9:42 a.m., March 29, 2016, to correct information saying Craswell has been arrested; he has been charged and a warrant issued for his arrest.