Aerial view of Bradford shows the bank at the corner of No. 11 Highway and the town's main street. The four bandits escaped with $4,200 through dusty back streets with Cons. Wilson in rapid pursuit. The hold-up car was abandoned midway between Holland Landing and Sharon, where the men got into another stolen car to make good their getaway, minutes before police converged on the scene. Robbery was in full view of police office.
Bullet found on street after hold-up is shown by Lorne Fines. After examining the location of bullet holes in the abandoned getaway car, under close guard as a garage, police hinted at least one of the thugs may have been wounded by constable.
Two bullets which missed Cons. Wilson are indicated here, lodged in doorway by Nick Bicko, left and Emery Sarasin, who saw the shooting. Wilson was out for a casual stroll near the bank when he became suspicious. He went to room and got gun.
Road block on highway was almost immediately thrown up by provincial police. Police said the pattern of escape used by men was similar to that employed in the hold-up of the Royal Bank of Canada at Woodbridge, just 17 days ago today.
Event Date : Saturday, March 24, 1979 Event Type : Death
Description : Died at York County Hospital, Newmarket, in his 65th year. Beloved husband of Eileen and dear father of Sherran (Mrs. George Breedon) of Bradford, dear grandfather of Laurie, Paul and Trish, dear brother of Glenn of Scarborough. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel at 2 p.m. Interment Newmarket Cemetery.
Off-duty provincial Constable Reginald Wilson had nine shots fired at him by three masked gunmen and an undisguised leader who staged a western-style hold-up of the Bank of Commerce at Bradford yesterday. Four of his return shots hit car.
Contains information on the local heroes of Bradford and West Gwillimbury, including police, firefighters, paramedics, or prominent citizens with heroic actions.
Ledger-keeper at Bradford bank is Grace Moriarty, who was "compelled to lie on the dirty floor in my white dress." Getaway car crashed into truck in escaping.
Edwin Alonzo Boyd is captured by Toronto police. His wife and brother rented an apartment from Mr. and Mrs. George W. Stoddart of Toronto and Bradford as a hide-out, posing as missionary-writers. Mr. Boyd is believed to have been associated with the robbery of the Bradford Bank of Commerce the previous summer.
Staff artist's sketch shows how the robbery was executed by men, who forced people to lie on floor and then looted tills. Constable is also depicted as he went upstairs for revolver and entered into gun duel with men who nearly hit him.
