Calvin Barry Defends "Exchange Bandit"

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/10/07/7002531-sun.html

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Exchange Bandit accused remanded
By SAM PAZZANO, COURTS BUREAU

A financial services employee who is alleged to be a bank robber known as "the Exchange Bandit" appeared briefly in court yesterday.

Within hours after the release of high quality images of a bank robber, Kevin John Pinto, 37, and his lawyer walked into downtown 52 Division Friday.

A subdued Pinto was remanded in custody until tomorrow after his lawyer Calvin Barry asked for an adjournment. Pinto is facing 10 charges of robbery.

A source close to Paradigm Capital, the firm where Pinto worked, said his co-workers jokingly asked him when he would be hiring a lawyer after they saw a striking resemblance between him and the bandit when they were all watching TV news.

Pinto was a "well-liked employee" and his co-workers were surprised by the allegations, the source said.

As vice-president of compliance at the Toronto-based investment firm, he was responsible for ensuring that the company followed securities and financial rules.

Police say Pinto is suspected in 26 bank heists across Southern Ontario over the last five years.

A series of robberies took place in 2003 in Toronto and Peel Region and in 2004 in Kitchener, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

The robber, who typically began each heist by talking to a teller about exchanging currency, disappeared for two years. Less than a month ago, a robber was caught on surveillance video holding up a Scotiabank on King St. west of Yonge St.

Police released images from that robbery and others on Thursday and were flooded with tips almost immediately.

Police said Pinto has been living in an upscale lakefront condo off Queen's Quay.