13.31°C Vancouver

Jun 3, 2021 3:34 PM -

Police 'amazed' as four customers thwart armed bank robbery in Abbotsford, B.C.

Share On
police-amazed-as-four-customers-thwart-armed-bank-robbery-in-abbotsford-b-c
4 customers tackle armed bank robber in Abbotsford (Photo - Abbotsford Police/Twitter)

Police say a suspect is in custody after customers in a bank in British Columbia refused to obey orders from a shotgun-brandishing robber and tackled him.

A statement from Abbotsford police says a man entered the Scotiabank branch just before noon yesterday and ordered customers to the floor.

As he threw bags onto a counter and demanded money, police say one customer confronted him and three more stepped up. The four tackled the man, disarmed him and held him until officers arrived minutes later.

No one was hurt and Sgt. Judy Bird says a 46-year-old man is facing robbery and firearms-related charges.

Bird says police are thankful for the community support and "amazed" at the willingness of the four customers to protect others in the bank.

"As grateful as we are for this outcome, we remind the public to be aware of how volatile and dangerous these situations can be, especially with armed suspects," Bird said in a statement Thursday.

Latest news

trump-orders-lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-amid-canada-u-s-trade-war
WorldAug 27, 2026

Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed ‘Lake America’ Amid Canada-U.S. Trade War

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” with immediate effect, amid escalating tensions between Canada and the United States over trade. The lake, which lies along the Canada-U.S. border, has become the latest target of Trump’s symbolic naming campaign after trade talks between Washington and Ottawa broke down completely. Trump had threatened in recent days to take the symbolic step, although it was initially unclear whether the U.S. president was serious about actually changing the name. Canadian officials, however, have al
two-killed-in-early-morning-crash-on-highway-19-near-lantzville
BCAug 27, 2026

Two Killed in Crash Near Lantzville; 16-Year-Old Driver Charged

Two people were killed in a serious crash involving a Volkswagen Jetta and a Kia Sedona minivan on Highway 19 near Lantzville on Vancouver Island early Friday morning. According to B.C. Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 3 a.m. near the intersection of Ware Road, involving two vehicles travelling in the southbound lanes. Police said two occupants of the Volkswagen died at the scene. The 16-year-old girl driving the Kia minivan was also injured and remains in hospital for treatment. The teenage driver has been charged with impaired driving causing death and dangerous operation of a m
BCAug 27, 2026

Vancouver Eases Water Restrictions, Lawns Can Be Watered Once a Week From Sept. 1

Metro Vancouver is set to ease its water restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 starting Sept. 1, allowing residents and businesses to water their lawns once a week. Under Stage 1, residential properties with even-numbered addresses can water their lawns on Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses can do so on Sundays. Automatic watering is permitted from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., while manual watering is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. For commercial properties, lawn watering will be allowed on Mondays for even-numbered addresses and Tuesdays for odd-numbered addresses. Trees, shrubs and flowers can als
anita-anand-confirms-30-canadians-missing-after-nepal-tibet-floods
CanadaAug 27, 2026

Anita Anand Confirms 30 Canadians Missing After Nepal-Tibet Floods

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has confirmed that 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are among the hundreds of people reported missing following severe flooding and landslides in the border region between Nepal and Tibet. In a statement issued Thursday, Anand said Canadian officials are in continuous contact with local authorities and international partners to support the safe return of Canadians in the affected areas and assist their families. However, the minister said there is currently no confirmed information about the whereabouts or well-being of the missing Ca
man-sentenced-to-3-years-in-2023-vancouver-homicide-case
BCAug 27, 2026

Man Sentenced to 3 Years in 2023 Vancouver Homicide Case

A 43-year-old man, Dustin Gastel, has been sentenced to three years in prison for desecrating human remains in connection with a 2023 homicide in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The case came to light on January 3, 2023, when Vancouver Fire Rescue Services discovered burned human remains while extinguishing a suspicious outdoor fire near Powell Street and Raymur Avenue. Police later identified the victim as 34-year-old Jeff Genty, who was the first homicide victim recorded in Vancouver that year. According to Vancouver police, Gastel was sentenced by the court on August 10. His three-year sen

Related News