Canadian man held in Thailand after reportedly robbing bank in Singapore

BANGKOK – A Canadian man suspected of robbing a Singapore bank has reportedly been detained by police in Thailand.

Local media outlets say David James Roach was taken into custody at a hostel in Bangkok, after travelling to the Thai capital from Singapore.

The media reports say Roach allegedly walked into a bank in Singapore last Thursday and handed over a note saying he was armed and wanted money.

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The robbery – in which Roach allegedly left with nearly $29,000 – was considered a rarity in Singapore, which has a low crime rate.

The media reports say Roach allegedly flew to Bangkok shortly after the robbery and was tracked down and detained by police at his hostel on Sunday. His arrest was reportedly announced by Thai police on Wednesday.

The reports said Roach would not speak to Thai police and had asked to speak with someone from the Canadian embassy.

A spokeswoman with Global Affairs Canada said Canadian consular officials in Bangkok were providing assistance to a Canadian citizen detained in Thailand and were in touch with local authorities on the matter.