THURSDAY December 12, 2013 Vol. 28 • No. 100 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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COMOX VALLEY
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For music that takes you way, way back, few groups do it like Winter Harp. They’re at the Sid this Thursday. page B1
Black Creek drag racer Otto Schulte won the 2013 Canada West Doorslammers Association championship. page B10
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One man suspected in two bank robberies Lone man told bank employees he had gun – no one harmed during Comox incident
“We have a very well-established set of emergency procedures, which protect the safety of our members and I’m really proud of our employees,” said Joe Cristiano, chief community and marketing officer at Coastal Community Credit Union. “The employees did follow Erin Haluschak those procedures very well,” he added. Record Staff “We are thankful that no one Both Comox Valley and was harmed during this inciCampbell River RCMP are seek- dent. Our members, clients, ing information from the pub- employees and communities’ lic to aid in locating a suspect safety is a top priority for our believed to have robbed banks in organization. We will continue to work with authorities and each community Monday. Const. Nicole Hall of the support our employees and their Comox Valley RCMP said it families,” noted Adrian Legin, president would appear and CEO of to be the same the credit suspect with It doesn’t change the union in a similar details flavour of the area. It’s release. who entered Cristiano the Coastal one person and when (the C o m m u n i t y police) catch him, the truth noted he isn’t aware of the Credit Union Comox locaon Comox Ave- will come out. It seems like tion of the nue shortly an isolated incident. credit union before 10 a.m. Dan Kyle ever dealing Around 2:15 p.m., police in with a simiCampbell River responded to a lar robbery in the past. bank robbery at the Bank of He added while the estabMontreal on Shoppers Row. lished emergency procedures Officers searched the down- cover a range of potential incitown area with their dog unit. dents, including robbery, part of “While rare, (robberies) do the process following a robbery happen,” noted Staff Sgt. Troy is to review the situation and Beauregard of the Campbell regulations, and see if anything River RCMP, who said the needs to be adjusted. detachment will work together Dan Kyle of Nearly New with Comox Valley RCMP. Books a few doors down from the The suspect is described as credit union, explained despite Caucasian, about 5’10”, slim and the neighbouring incident, he wearing jeans, a black coat with does not feel uncomfortable in the hood up, a dark grey scarf the area and will return to the around his face and aviator sun- bank. glasses in both incidents. “It doesn’t change the flavour The man demanded money of the area. It’s one person and and told staff he had a gun. He when (the police) catch him, the then took off with an undis- truth will come out. It seems like closed amount of money. an isolated incident,” he said,
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THE SECURITY IMAGE on the left shows a suspect entering the Comox location of Coastal Community Credit Union on Monday morning. On the right, about four hours later, a man enters the Bank of Montreal in Campbell River. and added he practises security measures in his store such as using an alarm and not keeping cash on the premises. Barbara Craig Waite, who has been a member of the credit union for years, said while she is cautious about using the bank, particularly at night, she will not stop frequenting the location. “I just feel downright annoyed,” she explained. “It’s taken away the innocence in my town.” Waite said she feels particularly bad for the tellers who had to face the robber. “I’m just glad no one was injured; money is not worth a life.” RCMP are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or text anonymously cvcstips to CRIME. photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Two TV shoots inValley Erin Haluschak Record Staff
It’s a catchphrase that has been spoken across the country, and this week, a Courtenay restaurant will have the honour bestowed on it by You Gotta Eat Here! The Food Network Canada Show, hosted by comedian John Catucci, is filming part of an episode at the Mad Chef Cafe in downtown Courtenay on Wednesday and Thursday. The show features Catucci on a quest to discover the best of Canada’s comfort food. Although the show has frequented restaurants in Victoria, Nanaimo and Tofino, it has
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never been to the Comox Valley. The episode is scheduled to air sometime in the new year. ••• Home and Garden Television will video Friday at the Black Creek home of Suzanne and Coleman Taylor. A crew will shoot for a onehour special hosted by Steve Patterson of the CBC show The Debaters, who performed a standup comedian act recently at the Sid Williams Theatre. Patterson will be part of Friday’s shoot for the program, which will profile home owners with eccentric and unconventional approaches to home repair. photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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