*Suspect in Winchester bank heist arrested in Montreal

View larger image James Louis Whittlesey

By Kaitlin Mayhew -- kmayhew@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- James Louis Whittlesey, wanted in connection with an armed bank robbery in the city, was arrested in Montreal early Sunday morning.

Jacqueline Roby, spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed that officers from the Montreal Police Department apprehended Whittlesey at 8 a.m.

Whittlesey, 51, and last known to live in Maryland, is wanted by Winchester police for an attempted bank robbery at the United Bank at 1041 Berryville Ave. on Oct. 14. He also faces federal charges related to armed robberies in Pennsylvania and Delaware according to information released by the FBI.

Winchester Police Sgt. Frank Myrtle said Whittlesey has been charged by city police for attempted capital murder of a police officer, aggravated bank robbery and use of a firearm in connection with a felony.

Roby said that Whittlesey was handed over to the CBSA around noon, shortly after his arrest.

"Enforcement officers had been working on his file for a few days," she said. "We will be detaining him in Montreal until the end of the procedures."

Roby said she has no time frame as to when he will be extradited to the United States. She also did not have any additional details on how Whittlesey was apprehended, but said that it was in connection with information given by police in the United States.

Myrtle said Whittlesey eventually will be extradited but had no additional details.

"The next steps will be determined with our U.S. counterparts in the next few hours and tomorrow to decide what are the appropriate measures," said Roby.

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