Detectives from the King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle PD, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force are investigating a series of five armed, take-over-style bank robberies that have occurred within King County since January 2013. The latest robbery took place July 1 at the Newscastle branch of Bank of America.
Three of the robberies have occurred in King County jurisdiction and two have occurred in Seattle PD jurisdiction. Detectives are considering the cases as linked at this time and continue to investigate the actual number of suspects involved.
The July 1 Bank of America robbery is the first time two suspects have entered a bank together. All prior robberies were committed by a single suspect entering the banks.
The May 22 Washington Federal robbery is Seattle resulted in a suspect firing a gunshot inside the bank.
The June 8 Burien Sterling Savings robbery resulted in a bank teller being struck in the face by the suspect.
Law enforcement officials say handguns were displayed and pointed in all robberies and the suspects have committed the robberies despite several customers and employees being present.
Detectives have now released surveillance photos of a suspect vehicle believed to have been used in the February 28 Key Bank robbery. This vehicle is a blue 1983 – 1987 Mercury Marquis – very stock in appearance.
A reward isbeing offered through Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest and charge of person(s) involved.To be eligible for the reward, a person must provide the information through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477.Tips also can be called in to the KCSO Communication Center at 206-296-3311 or 911
The robbery locations to date are:
1-16 – Newcastle branch of Key Bank (KCSO)
2-28 – Rainier Ave branch of Key Bank (SPD)
5-22 – Rainer Ave branch of Washington Federal Bank (SPD)
6-8 – Burien branch of Sterling Savings Bank (KCSO)
7-1 – Newcastle branch of Bank of America (KCSO)
