A bank robber turned in by his girlfriend's mother will spend about two years in prison.

Eric C. Mason, 42, was sentenced to 28 months and will be credited for 166 days served in the Spokane County Jail after pleading guilty Wednesday to second-degree robbery, second-degree assault and first-degree theft.

Mason robbed the Spokane Teachers Credit Union, 8703 N. Indian Trail Road, on April 23. He did not display a weapon.

girlfriend's mother told police her daughter drove him to the robbery, leading to Mason's arrest in August.

Mason's public defender, Anna Nordtvedt, asked for him to receive 22 months; Deputy Prosecutor James Kaufman called for 29 months. Superior Court Judge Maryann Moreno handled the sentencing.

Mason has previous felony convictions for drugs and burglary in Whatcom County in 2004. He is in jail awaiting transport to prison.

A man suspected of robbing a north Spokane credit union was turned in to police by his girlfriend’s mother. 

Eric C. Mason, 41, pleaded not guilty this morning to first-degree robbery, more than four months after police say he handed a threatening note to a teller at Spokane Teachers Credit Union, 8703 N. Indian Trail Road, then fled with about $1,200. 

Surveillance photos from the April 23 robbery showed a man with a black jacket and black knit cap.

Police say Mason’s driver’s license photo matched the robber’s image; detectives looked at it after Mason’s girlfriend mother called and said her daughter drove Mason to the robbery.

Mason later admitted to his girlfriend that he’d robbed the credit union, police said. He didn’t display a weapon but wrote in the note: “Put money in envelope do not alarm! No dye pac’s no tracking devices! No problems,” according to court documents.

Mason reportedly told his girlfriend he planned to turn himself in, but Spokane police Lt. Dave McGovern said he left town instead.

A warrant was issued May 4; Mason was booked into Spokane County Jail Aug. 20, where he remains after his arraignment in Spokane County Superior Court this morning.

A masked gunman believed to have robbed six banks since December still is being sought by the FBI. 

A noon-hour armed robbery at the Indian Trail branch of the Spokane Teacher Credit Union last Wednesday is similar to others heists attributed to a man who usually flees on a bicycle.

“It’s likely to be the same individual, although we are still actively investigating,” said FBI supervisory senior resident agent Frank Harrill. 

The suspected serial robber last struck May 25 at U.S. Bank, 621 E. 30th Ave., about 11:30 a.m., prompting lockdowns at nearby Sacajawea Middle School and Jefferson Elementary School.

The crime spree is believed to have started Dec. 22 at Sterling Savings Bank, 3000 S. Grand Blvd., then continued Feb. 13 (top left) and April 19 (right) at Chase Bank, 2215 W. Northwest Blvd. 

On May 18, the gunman wore a motorcycle helmet (left)and forced an employee at Chase Bank, 3007 E. 57th Ave., to the floor at gunpoint. 

Witnesses in at least one of the robberies said the gunman appeared to be familiar with how banks operate and knew which cash drawers to request.

The robber is described as white, 6-feet tall, in his 30s with a thin-to-medium build and fair complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s Spokane office at (509) 747-5195, extension 2. If it’s after hours, call (206) 622-0460.

A man robbed the Spokane Teachers Credit Union branch on Indian Trail Road this afternoon.

The man handed a teller a note shortly after 2:30 p.m. that said he had a gun, but he never displayed one, police said.

The robber left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured.

Witnesses thought the robber may have headed north from the bank, at 8703 N. Indian Trail Road.

The robber is described as in his early 30s, white, between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall, with a thin-to-medium build. He wore a black windbreaker jacket, jeans and a black knit cap with a gray stripe around the rim.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

It’s the third robbery at a Spokane County financial institution this week.