Sharp

A Saskatoon judge says a perceptive police officer's hunch about comfortable shoes led to the arrest of a man once designated a dangerous offender for a string of armed robberies.

Cst. Sean Bonynge arrested the suspect three days after the May 2022 robbery at Caswells The Store For Men when he spotted a man downtown wearing a distinctive pair of Geox runners.

"Cst. Bonynge also astutely noted that, from his observations working in the downtown area of Saskatoon for numerous years, people do not often change their shoes, particularly if they have found a pair that fits well," Court of King's Bench Justice Brenda Hildebrandt wrote in a decision published this week.

"Cst. Bonynge further explained that 'jackets and pants can easily get changed, but it is harder to find shoes that fit.' For this reason, shoes 'rarely get changed' and Cst. Bonynge believed finding the shoes was 'the best chance' he had at locating the individual responsible for the robbery at Caswells."

Gary Alexander Iron is now facing the prospect of a second dangerous offender hearing after his conviction for stealing a $295 puffy vest and a $185 shirt from Caswells.

Iron had tried to pay for the clothing with 85 cents and a button. He also punched out a store staffer who tried to stop him from walking out of the store wearing the clothes, according to the judgment.

Cst. Bonynge is a member of the bike patrol and responded to the robbery. After taking down a description of the suspect, he gathered video from a nearby surveillance camera.

"The price tag was still on the vest in the photos and videos taken of the thief immediately following his exit of Caswells," Justice Hildebrandt wrote.

For the next three days, Cst. Bonynge cycled the downtown watching for the beige runners with the distinctive striping.

"On May 11, 2022, as Cst. Bonynge reached the intersection of 1st Avenue and 23rd Street in Saskatoon, he looked toward where the Saskatoon Tribal Council [STC] building was located at that time. The STC, he testified, offered help to people who do not have places to stay," Justice Hildebrandt wrote.

"As he looked toward the STC, Cst. Bonynge spotted a 'male wearing those shoes' and wearing the same puffer jacket that had been stolen from Caswells."

Iron was arrested and found guilty at trial.

Judge designates serial armed robber a dangerous offender to protect public

Iron will be back in court next month for sentencing arguments. Prosecutor John Knox said he'll be applying to have Iron assessed as a dangerous offender.

He had been designated a dangerous offender in 2016 after his conviction for a series of armed robberies in Saskatoon in 2014.

At the time. he had 35 adult convictions on his record, with 13 of those for violent offences involving weapons. He also had a lengthy history of substance abuse, at one point using prescription medication, cocaine, opioids and crystal meth daily.

The dangerous offender designation meant Iron would be in jail indefinitely, but he appealed that ruling and, in April 2022, the Court of Appeal removed the designation.

He was arrested for the Caswells robbery less than a month later.

Dan Zakreski is a reporter for CBC Saskatoon.