Knife-wielding bank robber behind over a dozen hold-ups across Ontario, police say [Video]

The Hamilton Police Service says Alan Haaksma, 52, of Oakville has been charged with 16 counts of robbery with offensive weapon, seven counts of disguise with intent, and two counts of possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000. (Photo: HPS)

The knife-point robberies of several banks across Ontario were all orchestrated by the same man who now faces over two dozen charges, police say.

The string of armed hold-ups happened between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25 in the Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton, Guelph, Halton and Niagara areas, the Hamilton Police Services says.

In each of the 16 robberies, 14 of which were at banks, police say a man with a knife demanded cash from employees. The man wore a mask in some of the armed robberies, police say.

The robbery spree led police from multiple agencies to team up in a multi-jurisdictional investigation which police say identified the suspect.

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