Calgary

Bank robbery in Mission: 3 people in custody after fleeing the scene

Calgary police responded to a bank robbery Wednesday night in the southwest community of Mission.

'Staff remained safely locked within a room inside the bank during the robbery,' say police

Police closed down the intersection of Fourth Street and 23rd Avenue in Mission while they investigated the bank robbery. (CBC)

Calgary police responded to a bank robbery Wednesday night in the southwest community of Mission.

Officers arrived at the Bank of Montreal in 2200 block of Fourth Street S.W. around 5 p.m. MT. 

Three men fled the scene, but were later taken into custody.

A bus was brought in for witnesses of the bank robbery in Mission. (CBC)

The intersection at Fourth Street and 23rd Avenue was closed during the incident, and nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

"Containment was set up to ensure the safety of those nearby, while officers determined if any suspects remained in the bank," said police in a release.

"It is believed the suspects may have used firearms during the offence and that the staff remained safely locked within a room inside the bank during the robbery."

Police say there were no clients in the bank at the time, and charges are pending.

Insp. Mike Tillotson said officers took extra precautions because of the reports of firearms.

"The nature of that area being Fourth Street, it's a very busy area with vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic and there still were shops open at that time,” he said. “So it took a lot of officers and quite a big area to make sure it was safe for everyone."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Calgary Crime Stoppers.