The Flying Bandit, Gilbert Galvan, was eventually caught due to a mistake made by his partner after a jewelry heist. It all began when Galvan and his partner decided to rob a jewelry store in Ottawa. As part of their plan, they wore disguises to conceal their identities and carried a sawed-off shotgun for intimidation.
However, after the successful heist, Galvan’s partner made a critical error. Instead of disposing of the disguises and the shotgun properly, he carelessly left them behind at the scene of the crime. This oversight would prove to be their downfall.
The disguises and the shotgun were soon discovered by the authorities, who immediately began investigating their origins. The police quickly realized that the sawed-off shotgun matched the description of a weapon known to be in the possession of a notorious fence in Ottawa, known as the Fat Man. This individual, portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film adaptation, was well-known in criminal circles for his involvement in the buying and selling of stolen goods.
With this crucial lead, the police focused their efforts on tracking down the Fat Man and gathering evidence against him. Through surveillance and intelligence gathering, they were able to establish a connection between the Fat Man and Galvan’s partner. This link provided them with the breakthrough they needed in their pursuit of the Flying Bandit.
Ultimately, the Fat Man was apprehended and, under pressure from the authorities, revealed the identity of Galvan’s partner. Armed with this information, the police were able to locate and arrest Galvan himself, bringing an end to his criminal escapades.
The case of the Flying Bandit serves as a reminder of the importance of attention to detail and proper disposal of evidence in criminal activities. It highlights how even the smallest mistake can lead to the unraveling of a criminal enterprise. In this particular case, it was the careless abandonment of disguises and the weapon that ultimately led to the downfall of Gilbert Galvan and his partner.