A Story from Mississauga's Darker Side

Canadian Bank of Commerce, Clarkson.

Clarkson was emerging from the ashes of the Plaza Lodge and the long shadows cast by thugs like Mickey McDonald and his associates. But the memories of darker days were not always easily cast aside.

Canadian Bank of Commerce. Clarkson. Tuesday, November 16, 1954, 1:00 pm

The two suspects wore masks. They carried a sawed-off shotgun to help enforce their withdrawal from the bank.

Only three other people were in the bank at the time – employees Don Emmerton, an accountment, and Nancy Van Camp, a teller, along with their customer Bruce Glover. The perpetrators ordered the staff “to hand over the money” and warned Mr. Glover “do not to move.” The criminals were only in the bank a few minutes before fleeing the scene with cash in hand. As they exited, one of the thieves warned the teller “not to press any buttons or ring any bells.”

Nancy did not listen.

Port Credit Weekly, November 18, 1954

While the culprits fled north on Clarkson Road in an older model car Miss Van Camp sounded the alarm, and the Toronto Township police were dispatched within a few minutes. Police Constable William Snarr responded, along with Constable Lyle Docherty, established a roadblock at what is now Mississauga Road and Dundas Street. Detective Sergeant Bruce Kivell went to the bank. The constables, knowing the ne’er-do-wells had been headed north, were stopping and searching cars. They had stopped four cars when they saw an old car struggling up the road with its radiator steaming. They thought that the jalopy matched the description of the getaway car – and the car was in no condition to speed up and flee the scene.

With his gun drawn, Constable Snarr ordered the two occupants out the car. Inside he noticed several packages of money and a sawed-off shotgun in the back seat. Needless to say, the police got their men.

The thieves had stolen $2661 and had been on the run for a total of 22 minutes before they were nabbed. Charged in the robbery were 31-year-old Frank Egenolf and 18-year-old Guenther Schneid.

Mississauga Confidential cover

If reading about historic crimes whets your appetite for more, Heritage Mississauga is excited to announce that our latest book, Mississauga Confidential: Murder, Scandal and Crime from the City’s Darker Side by Bryan Ho and Nicole Mair is launching tonight, May 31, 2023 at Heritage Mississauga’s Annual General Meeting (6:30 pm at the Streetsville Kinsmen Centre). Contact Heritage Mississauga at info@heritagemississaug.org for more information on the book.