By Charles Lefebvre

Man facing charges in connection with several bank robberies, bomb threat

Apr 5, 2018 | 11:32 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —A Medicine Hat man arrested earlier this week following a bank robbery is being connected with a bomb threat and several other robberies in recent months.

Ronald Big Bull, 31 was arrested on Monday following a robbery at the TD branch on Strachan Road. He is charged with robbery with a firearm (or imitation) and wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Police allege a man entered the bank at approximately 5:30 p.m., produced a handgun and demanded cash, before making off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Staff Sgt. Chad Holt says it was the tip from a member of the public, which included a photo and description of a vehicle, that led to the arrest of Big Bull.

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“That was really the break we were hoping for,” he said. “One person was able to gather some really key information for us, and that led to a step in the right direction, and further follow ups led to his arrest within hours of the incident.”

On Thursday, police announced Big Bull was charged in connection with two other robberies in the city.

The robberies occurred at the ATB Northlands Branch on November 9 and at the CIBC in Crescent Heights on March 19. Big Bull is charged with two additional counts of robbery and two additional counts of wearing a disguise to commit an indictable offence.

Big Bull is also charged with uttering threats in connection with a bomb threat called into the Servus Credit Union in Crescent Heights on October 31.

Holt says the charges stem from further investigation and previous evidence collected during the previous incidents, including a voice sample released by police following the bomb threat.

Big Bull was not previously known to police prior to his arrest, according to Holt. He adds other bomb threats made at the same time continue to be investigated by the Major Crimes Unit

Big Bull remains in custody and is scheduled for a bail hearing in Medicine Hat provincial court on April 18.