SURREY, B.C. — Witnesses say police have surrounded a bank in Surrey, B.C.
At approximately 8:30am this morning, Surrey RCMP received multiple calls about a robbery in progress at a financial institution at this location. Upon police attendance, initial reports were that all staff and customers were evacuated.
RCMP have asked motorists, pedestrians and transit users to stay out of the area because of an unfolding situation, but couldn't be reached for further comment.
We remain on scene at bank in Newton with perimeter to ensure public safety. Initial reports indicate all staff and customers evacuated.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) February 16, 2016
Some media are reporting the incident involves an alleged bank robber.
— Naida Robinson (@Naidarobinson73) February 16, 2016
Radio station CKNW in nearby Vancouver quotes police as saying the bank has been evacuated.
An employee at a nearby store says 15 to 20 police cars have been stationed outside the bank since before she arrived at work.
The woman who did not wish to give her name says officers came by her store and told her to stay away from the area.
@NEWS1130 @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/fIBi8sRUI6
— Gary Johal (@gary_johal) February 16, 2016
Another employee at a business about a block from the bank says police would not allow her to enter her workplace and that she went in through a back door.
Road closures remain in effect due to police incident 136 st/72 ave. We will provide an update as soon as possible.
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) February 16, 2016
Photographs posted on media websites show a four-lane boulevard lined with businesses blocked off with police tape and a number of police cruisers in the area, as well as armed officers.
Newton Wave Pool is totally blocked off due to the #SurreyBC police incident. Rumblings of a bank robbery. pic.twitter.com/q03xtODtgu
— Matt Lee (@mattlee980) February 16, 2016
Police first issued an alert about the ongoing police incident on 72 Avenue in the Newton area of Surrey shortly after 9:30 a.m.
