Bail granted for alleged bank robber

By Peggy Revell on December 14, 2017.

Bail was granted in Medicine Hat Wednesday for a Winnipeg man charged with robbing two banks in October, though he will remain in custody awaiting more bail hearings in Saskatchewan for three robberies in Regina and one in Saskatoon.

Lethbridge-based lawyer Greg White successfully argued for Stephan Vogelsang’s release at the Medicine Hat Provincial Courthouse, with a proposal his client be allowed to return to Manitoba for one week to arrange his affairs. The 54-year-old would then return to Alberta and turn himself in for assessment as to whether he is criminally responsible for robbing two Medicine Hat banks on Oct. 19 and 20.

At issue however, and despite being granted release in Alberta, are warrants in Saskatchewan that will keep Vogelsang in custody until bail hearings are run there.

Vogelsang was known in Manitoba where he worked as news director at CTV Winnipeg, and then became a journalism instructor at Red River College in Winnipeg from 2002 until 2011.

During Wednesday’s hearing, White shared with the court some of the numerous unsolicited letters received from friends, colleagues and supporters of Vogelsang. One letter called Vogelsang’s actions “totally out of character.” Another, from a doctor who knows the man, stated they’re convinced he might not be criminally responsible, and that Vogelsang’s actions could be a manic phase of being bipolar.

The Crown opposed Vogelsang’s release on both primary and tertiary grounds.

In both cases, police report a man entered the banks, demanded money with a note and then left with an undisclosed amount — and the Crown noted both the severity of this sort of crime, the fear tellers felt, and that it occurred as a spree with other banks in other locations.

Following Vogelsang’s arrest, Regina police announced they were laying charges against Vogelsang for three bank robberies that occurred in July and October. Saskatoon police announced they were charging Vogelsang for a bank robbery that occurred July 31.

Judge Darwin Greaves acknowledged the need to protect banks, but also noted that Vogelsang’s alleged actions where the least aggressive and violent type of bank robbery seen.

“I can’t trust the unknown,” he said, wondering what “went so terribly bad” that led to the robberies. Instead, Greaves said he required some foundation for being convinced he should allow Vogelsang’s release.

This foundation turned out to be the surety put forward by defence counsel: Calgary-based phys-ed teacher Dean Sawatzky took the stand and spoke about how he has known Vogelsang since Grade 2, and how they remain good friends with each other, including going on holidays together throughout the year.

Sawatzky would be required to be with Vogelsang 24/7 for the trip to and from Winnipeg and contact police if Vogelsang breaches any release conditions.

A $10,000 no-cash surety was required, with Sawatzky responsible for half.

Vogelsang’s next Medicine Hat Court appearance is set for Jan. 23.

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