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suspect in 30 robberies finally arrested
suspect in 30 robberies finally arrested
A 44-year-old man suspected of robbing 30 Pugent Sound area banks in a years time, without ever brandishing a weapon, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon. The suspect, a man from Everett, WA, was arrested coming out of a Key Bank branch in Seattle. Bail was set for the suspect at $750,000 However, until he is formally charged his name will not be released.
A van described by a witness from a previous bank robbery was identified and placed under surveillance. Tuesday the van was observed circling the Key Bank for two hours, investigators witnessed a man exit the van, put on a mask and enter the bank. Key Bank then signaled an alarm. According to FBI Spokeswoman Ayn Sandale Dietrich, authorities were waiting for him when he came out of the bank, still wearing the ski mask and holding an undisclosed amount of money.
At one point investigators believed this robber to be two robbers. His disguises led to his being dubbed “Elephant Man Bandit” and “Cyborg Bandit” until it was realized that the two robbers were, indeed, one and the same. It was similarities in evidence from the other robberies that led investigators to connect the crimes to one suspect.