A suspected bank robber believed to be armed and dangerous was “inadvertently released” by B.C. corrections staff last month, according to Surrey RCMP.
Dean Zastowny, 47, was arrested in Surrey on Nov. 12, in connection with robberies in Burnaby and Abbotsford in October.
On Saturday, however, Surrey RCMP was once again asking for the public’s help finding him, saying the suspected bank robber was unlawfully at large.
Asked when Zastowny had been released from custody, Surrey RCMP said he had been “inadvertently released” by B.C. Corrections and deferred questions to that body.
B.C. Corrections confirmed there had been "an incident related to the release of an inmate from the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre," but spokesperson Cindy Rose said the correctional service couldn't release any more information.
"B.C. Corrections is taking this matter very seriously and is conducting a full review to investigate the circumstances," Rose said in an emailed statement. "Given the ongoing investigations, we are unable to release any further details at this time.”
Zastowny is described as white, six-foot-one and 215 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.
He has a full sleeve of tattoos on his right forearm with a skull, snake and flames; skull tattoos on his right upper arm; a skull and faces on his left forearm, and tattoos on his upper back torso.
Police are looking for any information on his whereabouts.
“Members of the public are asked not to approach Zastowny and to call 911 if they see him, as he may be in possession of a weapon,” states a Surrey RCMP press release.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
