Man charged in string of Ajax bank robberies

A man is in custody after attempting to rob three Ajax banks in a week.

In the first attempt a man walked into the Scotiabank at 314 Harwood Ave S shortly before 2:30 p.m on July 29. The robber passed the bank teller a note demanding cash.

The robber then fled southeast from the bank on foot. Police did not comment on whether this robbery was successful.

A week later, August 5, the robber walked into the TD Canada Trust at 83 Williamson Drive, again in broad daylight around 12:45 p.m. He again passed a note demanding cash to the teller. However, this time police confirmed the robber left without taking any cash.

Having failed at the TD, the robber made his way over to the RBC at 320 Harwood Ave S a couple hours later. He entered and handed this teller a note demanding cash, but this time the robber also threatened the teller. This robbery proved successful and the robbery fled with an unspecified amount of cash.

On August 14 the Lennox and Addington OPP Detachment, which patrols between Belleville and Kingston, arrested a man after an unrelated and unspecified incident.

Durham Regional Police believe this man was involved in the Ajax robberies and filed charges against him.

James Finnegan, 63 of no fixed address, is charged with three counts of robbery and one count of disguising himself with intent to commit an offence. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

Anyone with information about the robberies can call the DRPS Robbery Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5359 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).