‘Merry Christmas’: Toronto man who robbed 5 banks over 2024 holiday season pleads guilty
A sentencing hearing for Laviolette has been scheduled for November. The maximum sentence for robbery with a weapon is life imprisonment.
Toronto man Jeffrey Laviolette, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery with a knife in connection with a series of five bank robberies during the Christmas 2024 season. The robberies took place over a 10-day period on December 20, 21, 23, 27, and 30, 2024. Laviolette entered each bank on foot, armed with a knife, and demanded between $2,000 and $3,000.
Each time, his face was clearly visible and he did not conceal his weapon. The robberies occurred at Scotiabank on Islington Avenue, Royal Bank on Wicksteed Avenue, Bank of Montreal on Laird Drive, Bank of Montreal on Eringate Drive, and Bank of Montreal on Royal York Road. Laviolette accepted the smaller amounts offered by the tellers and fled the scene on foot.
After his arrest on January 2, 2025, Laviolette expressed regret for his actions and admitted the tone of his conversation with one teller turned threatening. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced in November.
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