A man accused of bank robbery made a bid for freedom while being arraigned in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench this morning.
Dustin Aaron Clark jumped over the prisoner’s box, bolted past lawyer John Lee, who was seated at the bar, and ran out of the second-floor courtroom.
A sheriff on duty in the courtroom fell and suffered minor injuries while calling for help.
Clark was apprehended in front of the counter on the main floor of the Red Deer Courthouse and returned to custody.
Earlier, Clark, 35, pleaded not guilty in Court of Queen’s Bench to charges arising from an incident in which police allege that a disguised man armed with bear spray entered the TD Canada Trust branch in the Village Mall and demanded cash.
He is to be tried in Red Deer Court of Queen’s bench on charges including armed robbery, assault with a weapon, wearing a disguise to commit a criminal offence, theft under $5,000 for a pair of prescription glasses and mischief in relation to a broken windscreen.
His trial is set for judge alone on March 19 through 21.