"The explosion was powerful enough to make identification of the robber impossible."
The 1973 Kenora Bank Robbery: An Unsolved Mystery
The Incident
On May 10, 1973, a bank robber entered the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Kenora, Ontario. He carried six sticks of dynamite strapped to his chest and a rifle, holding a "dead man's switch" in his teeth that would trigger the dynamite upon release. His demand: six duffel bags filled with cash.
As the robber exited the bank, a police sniper fired a bullet that struck him, detonating the dynamite. The explosion killed the robber and injured Constable Don Milliard, an undercover officer posing as a getaway driver. Milliard was carrying a large bag of cash, which shielded him from the blast — he sustained a concussion but no lasting physical harm.
The explosion was powerful enough to make identification of the robber impossible. His identity has never been established, 50 years later.
Aftermath
Over $100,000 in Canadian cash (equivalent to approximately $840,000 in 2023) was scattered on the street. Nearly all of it was returned.
The robber had checked into a hotel under the name Paul Higgins — a fake name. The initial suspect was later found alive in France.
Attribution
The robber remains unidentified.