It took the combined efforts of police investigators from Alberta and Manitoba to nab alleged bank robber Leonard Richard Collins, who became known as the 'Old Man Winter Bandit.'
Collins is accused of pulling off eight robberies and two cash grabs in two-and-a-half years throughout Alberta and Manitoba.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER SLIDESHOW..
The identification of the alleged bandit and his arrest were the result of work done concurrently by member of the Edmonton Police Service, the Calgary Police Service, the RCMP Stony Plain and Sherwood Park Detachments, and the Winnipeg Police Service, the EPS said.
“This was a long and complex investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Howard Kunce of the EPS Robbery Section.
“We believe that the arrest of this individual was possible because of an organized effort by the multiple police agencies, and the assistance of the Canadian Bankers Association.”
Tips started pouring in to investigators when, on Oct. 3, the Canadian Bankers Association offered up a reward of up to $10,000 for information, the EPS said.
Collins, who was arrested in Brandon, Manitoba on Nov. 2, has now been charged with nine counts of robbery and two counts of thefts under $5,000.