Credit union employees were "restrained" during the armed robbery of an Alliance Boulevard branch Thursday, according to Barrie police.
“They were restrained,” said Peter Leon, communications coordinator with city police. “I can’t get into the specifics of how, but that was part of the issue in the delay in police getting the information.
“Because they were restrained, they weren’t in a position to call for assistance after the robbery occurred," he added.
Leon said two males entered the Ontario Educational Credit Union just after 10:30 a.m. Police were called just after 11 a.m.
Simcoe County paramedics were later on-scene, but no one was seriously injured.
Police have determined that two males, who both wore full face coverings, "burst into the credit union brandishing firearms and made a demand for money."
Leon said the dollar amount taken was in excess of five digits, although a specific amount has not been released.
After obtaining a "significant" amount of both Canadian and American currency, the suspects fled in what police describe as a white, newer model four-door Mercedes-Benz.
It’s believed this vehicle is the same one the suspects arrived in before the robbery, and that it was parked out front while the robbery took place, according to police.
The first suspect is described as being just less than six feet tall, with a slim build and he was wearing a dark top and grey-coloured track pants.
The second suspect is shorter than the first one, also has a slim build and wore dark clothing that included black track pants.
"They are both believed to be in their 20s and spoke with what has been described as a Jamaican accent," police said in a news release.
Detectives spent Thursday afternoon looking at seized video surveillance from the area and have determined that the involved vehicle turned left from Alliance onto Bell Farm Road, and was last seen heading toward Duckworth Street.
Leon said such armed robberies are uncommon in Barrie.
“I would say it’s very rare, given the fact most financial institutions don’t have a great deal of currency,” he said. “In today’s world, it’s very rare for any financial institution to have a significant amount of currency on hand.”
Anyone with information or who many have dash camera video, was travelling on Bell Farm between 10:50 a.m. 11 a.m., Nov. 9, and may have captured an image of a newer model Mercedes-Benz is asked to contact the lead investigator Sgt. Troy Armstrong at 705-725-7025, ext. 2586. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The credit union’s website says it’s open to all active or retired educational employees and their families throughout the province. Its head office is in Mississauga, but it operates a branch in Barrie.
