A Canadian bank robber stripped off his clothes in public after robbing a bank in an effort to escape the police.

The man disrobed in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby, but then was unable to get taxi driver to give him a ride, says Reuters.

"The quick thinking cab driver assessed the fare's unusual clothing, or lack of, and relied on his gut instincts and denied him access to his cab," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.

Police said the suspect then attempted to flee the scene via a public transit station, but was spotted by officers and tackled.