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Man, 22, suspected in Ottawa bank robbery found dead on Vancouver Island: RCMP

NANAIMO, B.C. – Police in B.C. say a suspect in an Ottawa bank robbery has been found dead in the central Vancouver Island city of Nanaimo.

The RCMP say they were informed by Ottawa police that the suspect, 22-year old Peter Hoelke, fled to Vancouver Island after Tuesday’s robbery of a CIBC branch in the national capital.

An RCMP emergency response team surrounded a house in Nanaimo Friday morning, but when officers entered the premises in the afternoon the residence was found to be empty.

RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien says in a news release that a body was found in central Nanaimo Friday evening and that the BC Coroners Service has confirmed it to be Hoelke.

The release says police do not suspect foul play in the death, and that Hoelke’s family and Ottawa police have been notified.

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