Saanich Police have a suspect in custody following the robbery of the Bank of
Montreal, at 3481 Cook St., on March 3rd, 2014. Public input, tenacious police
investigation and quick thinking at an Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) police
roadblock resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Immediately following the robbery, Saanich Police investigators processed the
crime scene and followed up on leads. Two days later, on March 5th, 2014, a
public appeal was issued, which included the release of a high quality photo of
the suspect. Public tips soon flowed to the investigators and a suspect was
identified.
On March 7th, charges of Robbery were sworn and a Canada wide warrant was
issued for the arrest of 39 year old Saanich resident Benjamin Lawrence Robert
McKENZIE. Police continued to search for McKENZIE and pursue public leads.
On March 13th, 2014 IRSU police members were conducting a roadblock on
Gorge Rd in Saanich and noticed an approaching vehicle make an abrupt Uturn
in what was believed to be an attempt to avoid the roadblock. The IRSU
police member followed in his patrol car and stopped the vehicle a short
distance away. Once the identity of the suspect was established and confirmed
to be robbery suspect McDONALD, he was arrested and returned to the Saanich
Police headquarters for processing.
McDONALD was transported to Provincial Court for a custody hearing in the
afternoon of March 14th, 2014, with pending future court dates.
Cst. BEDINGFIELD will be available to release this message and offer a follow up
interview at the Saanich Police headquarters this date, March 14th, at 2:00 pm
Saanich Police file 14-4000
Cst. Gord Bedingfield
Saanich Police #225