Heavy police presence in downtown Prince Rupert early Friday afternoon in response to Bank Robbery

A police cruiser from the Prince Rupert detachment outside of the city's
Bank of Montreal branch Friday afternoon, a heavy police presence was found
through the early afternoon in the surrounding area.

Details have yet to be made public by the Prince Rupert Detachment of the RCMP, but a strong police presence was seen through the downtown area Friday afternoon, with activity centred around the city's Bank of Montreal branch.

Signs posted to the doors of the branch at Second Avenue West and Third Street noted that the bank was "Closed due to Emergency".

No further information on the nature of the incident has been released as of yet.

One member from the detachment was seen inside the bank, while a number of other officers were driving through the downtown core, seemingly setting up a perimeter in the area.

At times city streets such as those in the Cow Bay Road area east of Mariner's Park had been closed to traffic by police cruisers, as the responding officers went about their work.

More details on the events of Friday will be outlined as they become available.

For more background on the work of Emergency Service providers see our archive page here.

Update:

Accounts from Friday afternoon have begun to trickle in, with confirmation that the BMO branch was robbed shortly after 1 PM. The suspect was last seen heading towards the Prince Rupert waterfront.

Clothing description is that of a grey hooded sweatshirt and black pants, the suspect was also wearing a mask.

Anyone witnessing the incident, or who may have information related to it are asked to contact the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-627-0700 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)