Arlington bank robbery suspect strikes again in Snohomish

ARLINGTON — Close to a month later, Arlington police are still searching for a bank robbery suspect whose image was captured on video. "Snohomish just had a bank robbery with the same suspect and the exact same M.O. as ours," Arlington Police Detective Peter Barrett said of the July 28 robbery of the Key Bank in Snohomish. Just as the Snohomish robbery occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m., the June 30 robbery of the Chase Bank in Arlington occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. The suspect has been described as a white male in his mid 40s to early 50s, standing between 5'5" to 5'8" tall and weighing between 230 to 260 pounds, with "a medium build with a large gut." At both robberies, he was seen wearing dirty blue jeans and a black Carhartt-style jacket. Barrett added that the suspect has grayish hair, is slightly balding and was described as having a "quiet demeanor."

By Kirk Boxleitner • July 29, 2011 2:24 pm
This robbery suspect was captured on surveillance video at the Chase Bank in Arlington at approximately 4:20 p.m. on June 30.
This robbery suspect was captured on surveillance video at the Chase Bank in Arlington at approximately 4:20 p.m. on June 30.

ARLINGTON — Close to a month later, Arlington police are still searching for a bank robbery suspect whose image was captured on video.

“Snohomish just had a bank robbery with the same suspect and the exact same M.O. as ours,” Arlington Police Detective Peter Barrett said of the July 28 robbery of the Key Bank in Snohomish. Just as the Snohomish robbery occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m., the June 30 robbery of the Chase Bank in Arlington occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m.

The suspect has been described as a white male in his mid 40s to early 50s, standing between 5’5″ to 5’8″ tall and weighing between 230 to 260 pounds, with “a medium build with a large gut.” At both robberies, he was seen wearing dirty blue jeans and a black Carhartt-style jacket. Barrett added that the suspect has grayish hair, is slightly balding and was described as having a “quiet demeanor.”

At the Arlington Chase Bank, located at 3704 172nd St. NE, the suspect entered the bank on June 30 unmasked and ungloved, before submitting a robbery note that demanded money and implied that he had a gun. The suspect obtained money and then fled on foot. No associated vehicles or suspects were seen at the Arlington robbery. The suspect likewise passed the teller at the Snohomish Key Bank a note implying that he had a gun and demanding cash on July 28, according to Snohomish police Cmdr. Fred Havener. The suspect was spotted driving away from the Snohomish robbery in a royal blue 1970s passenger car.

“Several indicators are present that make us think the suspect is a local from the Arlington or Marysville area,” Barrett said. “Based upon his actions and the timing, it is possible that he had a financial issue that needed immediate resolution. Sometimes we see people in dire financial situations, such as overdue vehicle or rent payments or child support, that will be a driving force behind them making really bad decisions such as a committing a bank robbery.”

Barrett explained that investigators are working several leads, including DNA and latent fingerprint evidence, that they hope will help identify the suspect. Before the Snohomish robbery, Barrett had already predicted that the suspect would repeat his crime.

“Somebody knows this guy and we need their help to stop him before he makes another bad decision,” Barrett said. “The money he got probably didn’t last very long and he will likely strike again.”

Arlington and Snohomish police are investigating this case alongside the FBI. Anyone with information is asked to call the Arlington Police Department at 360-403-3400.