Bystanders help themselves to stolen money after Kelowna bank robbery

KELOWNA – RCMP are reporting crime on top of crime after a bank robbery Saturday afternoon in Kelowna.

Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a press release they have arrested two people after they tried to take off with the stolen money minutes after it was abandoned by the bank robber.

Police say the strange turn of events began just before 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 when they received reports of a robbery at the TD Canada Trust location at 1950 Harvey Ave.

A man entered the bank and produced a note demanding money from one of the tellers, who gave the would-be robber some cash with a dye pack included.

The man fled in a waiting vehicle but abandoned what was left of the cash after the dye pack exploded.

That’s when police say a pair of bystanders grabbed the dumped money and one of them drove off. A 46-year-old Kelowna man was arrested at the scene and the women was arrested after she returned with the stolen money.

O’Donaghey says both are facing potential charges.

Meanwhile, police say they arrested the first robber after he fled from a house in the 100 block of Davie Road on Sunday afternoon. He is alleged to have broken into another house in the area where he was found hiding under some stairs by the dog squad.

The 44-year-old Kelowna main remains in police custody and is facing several charges. The house on Davie Road has been secured while RCMP seek a search warrant for the property.

To contact a reporter for this story, email John McDonald or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.