Kevin John Pinto (1971 in Bahrain[1]) is a Canadian bank robber and former financier, also known as the Exchange Bandit for his habit of engaging bank tellers in conversation about exchange rates.[2]

Beginning in 2002, Pinto robbed 10 banks throughout Ontario;[3] in October 2008, he surrendered to police.[4] He subsequently pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six years in prison.[5]

Pinto, who had been a vice-president at an investment firm who committed his robberies during his lunch hour,[6] was a compulsive gambler who turned to crime in an attempt to pay his accumulated gambling debts, which far outweighed the total amount he stole.[7]

In 2012, Pinto was granted day parole.[8]

References

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  1. ^ 'Exchange Bandit' suspect a $100,000-a-year executive [dead link] at The National Post, by Melissa Leong and Natalie Alcoba, October 7, 2008, retrieved January 10, 2011
  2. ^ Exchange bandit given 6 years at The Toronto Sun, by Sam Pazzano, November 24, 2009, retrieved January 10, 2011
  3. ^ 'Exchange bandit' sentenced to six years at The Toronto Star, by John Goddard, November 23, 2009, retrieved January 10, 2011
  4. ^ The strange case of Paradigm's Pinto at The Globe and Mail, by A. Willis, October 5, 2008 retrieved January 10, 2011
  5. ^ Court sentences 'Exchange Bandit' to 6 years at CTV Television Network, November 23, 2009, retrieved January 10, 2011
  6. ^ Exchange Bandit led a double life at Mississauga.com (Torstar), September 17, 2009, retrieved January 11, 2011
  7. ^ 'Exchange bandit' battles gambling demons at CBC.ca, January 9, 2011, retrieved November 16, 2013
  8. ^ Former Exchange Bandit looks to help others, by Steven D'Souza, at CBC.ca; published January 23, 2012; retrieved November 16, 2013