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Guilty plea in mid-day bank robbery

A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to robbing a Yellowknife bank at knife-point.

Robin Kelly was charged in July of last year following a months-long police investigation into a brazen, broad daylight bank robbery in downtown Yellowknife.

In NWT territorial court on Jan. 28, Kelly pleaded guilty to robbing the First Nations Bank of Canada, located on 48 Street, on Feb. 13, 2019.

Kelly did not enter pleas to two other charges laid against him last summer — using a disguise with the intent of committing an offence and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police in Yellowknife asked for the public's help in identifying their suspect, caught on the bank’s video surveillance system, following the lunch hour robbery.

Robin Kelly, 34, pleaded guilty last month to robbing the First Nations Bank of Canada at knife-point on the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2019. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.

NWT RCMP’s Forensic Identification Service was called in to assist with the investigation.

In a monthly report released to Yellowknife city council Monday, RCMP, lauding a “successful investigation,” stated Kelly made off with approximately $165 in Canadian currency and $200 US.

The amount of cash stolen in the robbery had not previously been disclosed by police.

Kelly is scheduled to appear in court for a sentencing hearing on April 8.

A pre-sentence report — insight into an offender’s background to help shape a judge’s sentence — has been ordered for Kelly.