A 53-year-old man driving a compact vehicle on a Geneva street was arrested last night, and he now stands accused of being Canada’s “most wanted bank robber”.

The man, sought for 22 armed bank robberies in Canada between 2010 and 2015, was detained under an global warrant for arrest, the newspaper said.

Over the past five years he hit 12 banks in York Region, 4 in the city of Calgary, 2 in Peel and one each in Ottawa and Toronto.

Geneva police spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt said the man is being held pending extradition procedures.

A Geneva police statement provided links to two videos of news reports that contain footage taken from bank cameras showing the suspect in action, though Swiss police and judicial officials declined to identify him by name – deferring to Canadian authorities.

Police said he could face life in prison if convicted.

Those charges are expected to be robbery and firearms related, said Const. Andy Pattenden.

The bandit, who has yet to be named, earned the distinction thanks to his technique of jumping over bank counters like a hurdler, with a gun in hand, for his “takeover” style heists.

He said they hope to have him extradited soon.

Police said he worked alone and carried a police scanner to scout locations before striking and fleeing.

“We commend the police forces in Canada and overseas for their ongoing work to apprehend this individual”, said Malcolm Chivers, director of corporate security at the association. Known as the vaulter, he robbed banks all over the country including Hamilton and York Region.

The reward money will only be given out if police determine any of the information they received was key to the arrest and conviction.

– With files from The Canadian Press.