‘I’m not playing:’ Felon charged in 2 Pierce County bank robberies
A 49-year-old felon is suspected of robbing banks in Tacoma and Spanaway two months after being released from prison.
The first holdup occurred Jan. 6 at a Columbia Bank branch on South Union Avenue.
After lingering near the check writing counter, the man approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money and warning her not to “do anything stupid,” according to charging papers.
He fled on foot after receiving cash.
Tacoma-Pierce County Crimestoppers circulated a bulletin after the robbery, and a tip provided detectives with the suspect’s name.
They matched surveillance footage with the suspect’s driver’s license photo and determined it was him.
Investigators were also able to identify him with prints left on the bank counter and door.
The man had been convicted in a series of bank robberies in King County in 2010. He served nine years in prison and was released in November.
On Jan. 17, the same man allegedly held up a Columbia bank branch on Pacific Avenue South.
The robber handed a teller a note demanding cash and telling her “I’m not playing,” records say.
Police believe the same man robbed a Wells Fargo bank branch in Bellevue, as well as a Wells Fargo in Spanaway.
Charges may be filed on this incidents later.
On Monday, Pierce County prosecutors charged him with two counts of first-degree robbery.
He was recently arrested in Kent after another bank robbery, and prosecutors have issued a warrant so they can schedule an arraignment.
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 9:45 AM.
