The Canadian Bankers Association has increased a reward for information on an "elusive" suspect in 19 robbery cases to $100,000.
The man, dubbed the "Vaulter Bandit," is wanted for a series of bank robberies in the Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary areas conducted over the last five years.
At a news conference Friday, police said they believe the suspect is armed and dangerous.
"I think it's fair to say he's elusive," York Regional Police Det. Sgt. Mike Fleischaker said.
Fleischaker announced a previously existing $50,000 reward would be increased to $100,000, the biggest reward ever offered in a Canadian robbery case.
Police said they'd tried facial recognition software and psychological and geographical profiling, in addition to traditional methods of identification.
Officers called the suspect "Canada's most notorious bank robber."
Police said the Vaulter Bandit's most recent robbery was May 8 in Mississauga. He waited outside a TD Bank in the Dundas Street East and Dixie Road area until the bank manager unlocked the door.
He entered the bank carrying a gun and a black bag, and wearing a mask, hard hat and construction vest. He demanded money then fled the scene with an unknown amount of cash.
As he left, police said Friday that he told two of the witnesses, "Happy Mother's Day."
Following the investigation into last week's robbery, police said he is believed to be the same man wanted in 18 other cases. Last June, the Canadian Bankers Association announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the man dubbed the "Vaulter Bandit." The robber received his nickname after a string of robberies in York Region in 2010, where he vaulted over bank counters with a handgun.
After targeting York Region, the bandit went on to rob banks in Mississauga and Hamilton in the same style. He then left Ontario, and was identified in 2011 as a suspect in four bank robberies in Calgary. He returned to the province in May 2011, robbing an Ottawa bank before heading back to York Region, police said.
Prior to the 2015 heist, his most recent robbery was a TD Bank on Clock Tower Road in Toronto last May.
Investigators are searching for a suspect described as white, between the ages of 45 and 50 with grey hair. He is approximately 5-foot-10 with a medium build, and was wearing jeans with the vest and hard hat during last week's robbery. Investigators said witnesses described him as having "bad teeth" and pockmarks on his face.
Police said he may be travelling in a silver four-door Chevrolet Cruze, but he's also been linked to a silver Volkswagen Jetta. Police said it's possible that the vehicles were rented.
Police said his whereabouts are unknown, but they believe he's familiar with the Toronto area based on the locations of the targeted banks. Many were not on major streets, suggesting the robber has some knowledge of side roads, police said.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Peel, York, Toronto, Hamilton or Ottawa police in Ontario or Calgary police in Alberta. Tipsters can also leave messages with Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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