A 50-year-old Vancouver man is facing one count of robbery and likely many more after a week-long crime spree that saw 10 banks targeted in Vancouver alone.
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Darwin McGrath was arrested at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 after a pair of plainclothes officers saw him enter a bank and commit a robbery. He was arrested with an undisclosed amount of cash on his person.
“They caught him in the act. That’s very rare to happen but it does happen and that’s good, head’s up police work,” Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Jason Robillard told reporters Dec. 18.
Robillard noted that McGrath has previous convictions on his record for similar crimes. The provincial court registry shows numerous robberies dating back to 2012 linked to a person with the same name.
VPD investigators are now gathering evidence that could link McGrath to nine other bank robberies in Vancouver and one in Surrey over a seven-day span.
“There is sufficient evidence, from my understanding right now, that they are able to say they suspect he committed all of these,” Robillard said.
No weapon was seen or used in Sunday’s robbery, nor was anyone injured in the 11 incidents allegedly linked to McGrath. He remains in custody.
The VPD’s victims’ services team offers support and resources for victims of crime, witnesses and their families. Referrals are typically made by the officer on scene, though individuals can self-refer to the program by contacting 604-717-2737.
