From the Archives: Sawed-Off shotgun used in Daysland bank heist

(The Community Press – September 15, 1987) – A lone gunman robbed the Bank of Montreal in Daysland last Wednesday afternoon, and escaped with an undetermined amount of money. He remains at large.

An intensive search conducted by Killam RCMP, assisted by members of the Forestburg Detachment, and an airplane ended in failure.

The dramatic series of events started at 2 p.m. when Richard Anderson, commercial manager and two other employees were confronted. Mr. Anderson said “this guy pointed a shotgun at us and left with a small, undetermined amount of money.”

The weapon appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun.

The staff was told to get down on the floor, and did so, in a kneeling position.

Moments after the thief ran from the bank, Anderson took up the chase, and rushed to Block’s Garage, one block northwest of the main street bank.

It was thought that the robber ran down the alley adjacent to the Daysland Hotel, where a car was waiting.

RCMP officers are seen as they attempt to place together the thief's escape route. While there were many rumours, facts were hard to come by. Arnie Romanuik (above inset) saw a suspicious car shortly after the theft. — RCMP officers are seen as they attempt to place together the thief’s escape route. While there were many rumours, facts were hard to come by. Arnie Romanuik (above inset) saw a suspicious car shortly after the theft.

Arnie Romanuik, a mechanic at Block’s said he saw a “strange looking car go by.” Later information indicated the vehicle was an old Chevy Nova, which had been parked on the town’s main street.

Herb Robinson was in charge of Dolanz Variety Store, and said that “in a small town, everybody notices them. There were four of them – a girl and three guys. They had the hood up for the longest time.”

Killam RCMP were on the scene in about 20 minutes, and road blocks were set up. For a time, Corporal Rick Nyszczuk and Constable Bill Parker of Forestburg RCMP Detachment were checking vehicles at Highway 53 and Secondary Road 856.

Bank staff and operators of local businesses were questioned as police sought to uncover clues.

Rumours were rampant as to the route taken by the robber and his accomplices. The most popular theory was that the get-away car had proceeded in a northernly direction, and the search plane spent a considerable amount of time in that area.

An unfounded report had the car seen in Edberg the following morning. Police vehicles searched the rural area south of Daysland on Wednesday evening.

The Sunbeam Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre is located across the street from Bank of Montreal, and regular activities were taking place. No one there had noticed anything unusual.

Roxanne Robbins, a Work Experience Student at Daysland Town Office was about to enter the bank to retrieve paid utility bills when the robber emerged from the bank. Staff immediately locked the door.

One report was that the escape car was headed in the direction of Daysland Hospital, and that an alert resident had obtained the licence number.

Anderson said that female staff members “are having a hard time” following the experience and are “finding it very emotional. They fear that it might happen again.” The commercial manager admitted that he, too, has been affected by the robbery.

Originally published in The Community Press, September 15, 1987. If you’d like to see more “From the Archives” online and in our paper, please leave us feedback on Facebook, Twitter, or email news@thecommunitypress.com.