January 7 2010
Free Press Files
A bank robber’s bad choice of getaway car landed him with 30 months in jail.
Shawn Downey took a taxi from his home to Fernie Scotia Bank on December 22, leading police straight to his door.
Downey, 26, appeared in Provincial Court at Cranbrook on Monday and pleaded guilty to robbery and using a disguise during the robbery of the Fernie Scotia Bank on December 22. He was sentenced to 30 months in jail.
Downey was arrested within two hours of the robbery after the taxi company heard what had happened and called the police with his home address.
Police found evidence on Downey, inside the cab and inside his apartment, including the clothes he had been wearing, the stolen cash and the hold-up note.
They also obtained images of Downey from security cameras inside the bank.
“This guy’s plans went downhill fast, from the minute he walked into the bank,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
“The old adage that it’s hard to get away with anything in a small town certainly appears to ring true in this case.
“It also shows as fact, that the public are the eyes and ears to their own community that assists in keeping all safe and sound. Without their help and support our job becomes a lot tougher. In this case we certainly extend a big thanks to the community of Fernie for their help.”
Nobody at Scotia Bank was available to comment this week. There were no injuries in the robbery.
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