A prison escapee suspected in a couple of attempted bank robberies has a bankers’ association offering a $10,000 reward.
Shawn Merrick, a 43-year-old Surrey man who escaped from a minimum-security institution at the end of March, was serving a sentence for second-degree murder and several robberies including in Langley.
On Wednesday afternoon, May 6, the Crown approved additional charges against Merrick, in relation to robberies:
April 17 Canada Trust, Walnut Grove
April 17 Royal Bank, Willowbrook
April 24 Royal Bank, Aldergrove
May 4 CIBC, Aldergrove
Surrey RCMP have issued Canada-wide warrants for his arrest and he is also alleged to have tried to rob two banks as recently as April 17.
Merrick is a suspect in an unsuccessful bank robbery at about 1 p.m. that day in the 15900-block Fraser Highway, and another robbery in the 15100-block 101st Avenue just over half an hour later.
The suspect, believed to be the same in both incidents, was described as a white man in his late 40s to 50s, with blond hair and a black jacket.
Merrick is also a suspect in several other recent robberies in the Langley area, said Surrey RCMP spokesman Sgt. Dale Carr.
Merrick is white, five-foot-eight, 141 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo of a skull and on the left side of his chest and a dragon on his right upper arm. He also has a burn scar on his right forearm.
Surrey RCMP warn Merrick should be considered dangerous, and anyone who sees him is advised not to approach and to call 911.
The Canadian Bankers Association has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477.
There are four ways to leave an “anonymous tip†with Crime Stoppers.
Talk: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Type: www.solvecrime.ca.
Text: BCTIP and your message to CRIMES (274637).
Facebook: www.facebook.com/metrovancouvercrimestoppers.
– With files from the Vancouver Province
For more from the Vancouver Province, click HERE