TTC security camera image of man wanted in armed robbery investigation, Chester subway station
Toronto Police "definitely believe" the same man who committed the latest Toronto Transit Commission theft is behind two similar robberies in August.
Police responded to a robbery call at Chester subway station on Sunday, October 6, just before 10:30 p.m.
A man entered the station where he pointed a gun at the TTC fair collector on duty, police said. The suspect made away with an undisclosed amount of money, and no injuries were reported.
Staff Inspector Mike Earl said the incident was "a slap in the face to the TTC and the police."
On August 6 at around 11 p.m., the alleged suspect, armed with a handgun, struck for the first time, also at Chester subway station, the police said.
Police believe the same suspect committed an identical crime on August 26, this time at Christie subway station.
Money and Metropasses were stolen from both locations. There were no injuries in either robbery.
"We will leave no stone unturned to catch this person, I think it's outrageous that they think they can just strike at our stations with impunity," said TTC CEO Andy Byford. "Not on my watch, that doesn't happen. We intend to bring this person to justice."
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said the suspect was "becoming more brazen in his robberies, and so we're very anxious, and any information from the public will be very, very welcome, and my holdup squad will be relentless in his pursuit."
Staff Insp. Earl said the amount of cash the suspect stole means very little to police.
"The money isn't significant in my opinion, and nor is it important at this stage in the game," said Insp. Earl. "The important thing is the protection of the public, the protection of the employees, and getting this individual off the street."
In 2012, there were a total of four TTC collector booth robberies. There already has been six so far in 2013.
Staff Insp. Earl said there's a possibility the suspect poses a greater threat should he attempt to hit bigger targets, considering he's evaded police so well.
"Anybody that's armed with a handgun committing a robbery like this concerns me each and every time, and yes, I'm concerned that the violence could escalate," he said.
Given the nature of the crime, police say it's difficult to apprehend a suspect who spends very little time at the scene.
"It's a very quick crime, very quick, a matter of seconds," said Insp. Earl. "It may seem like hours to the victim who has the gun pointed at them, but the reality is it's very quick, probably less than a couple of minutes."
Staff Insp. Earl said it's unlikely that this suspect is connected with three armed robberies committed at Dupont station on June 11, Oct. 2, 2011 and Feb. 27, 2012, where a fare collector was shot twice after refusing to hand over any money.
"The descriptions are not consistent with either of these individuals, but could there be a connection, an acquaintance? I can't answer that," he said.
The suspect is described as a white male, aged 25-30, between 5'10"-6', wearing a black toque, black hoodie, blue and white paisley bandana and a white glove with a grey palm on his left hand.