Today in History – May 10: Bank robber’s identity a mystery after sniper blows him to smithereens

A bank robber was blown to pieces after a police sniper’s bullet detonated the dynamite he was carrying in a small Canadian town on May 10, 1973.

The bank robber walked into the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Kenora with six sticks of dynamite strapped to his chest and a rifle in his hand. In his teeth was a “dead man’s switch” which would trigger the dynamite.

He ordered six duffel bags be filled with cash.

May 10This man has never been identified. (Toronto Public Library)

As the robber left the building, he was struck by a bullet fired by a police sniper.

The only other person hurt was Constable Don Milliard, an undercover officer posing as a getaway driver.

Milliard was only a few metres away, but was largely shielded from the blast by the giant bag of cash he was carrying on his back.

He suffered a concussion but was spared lasting physical harm.

The dynamite caused an explosion substantial enough to make identifying the robber impossible.

The sniper’s bullet caused a massive explosion. (Toronto Public Library)

His identity has still not been established, 50 years on.

The robber had checked himself into a hotel under the name Paul Higgins, a fake name.

The initial suspect was later found to be alive and well in France.

More than $100,000 in Canadian cash ($A840,000 in today’s money) was blown all over the street after the blast.

Nearly all of it was returned.

This man has still not been identified. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)