Educated bank robber sentenced

A man with three college degrees was sentenced Friday to 49 months in prison for the January, 2006 robbery of a Washington Trust Bank branch on Spokane’s South Hill.

Thomas R. Fricks, dressed in camouflage and goggles and brandishing a loaded BB gun, took over the branch shortly after its 5 p.m. closing on Jan. 4 but was arrested a few minutes after he fled the bank with the assistance of a Global Positioning System device hidden in a duffle bag stuffed with $37,920.

The bank’s branch manager and its security chief argued before U.S. District Judge Lonnie Suko on Friday for a long sentence for Fricks.

John R. Weber, vice president and head of security for Washington Trust, said the robbery had a “large impact” on the staff because Fricks displayed “what appeared to be a gun” and threatened to kill their spouses and families. “This robbery was brutal,” Weber said.

Tanya Martin, branch manager, cried as she faced Fricks in court, describing the emotional impact of the robbery on her and her staff. Since the robbery, she said she’s battled depression, paranoia and a lingering fear of the dark.

“My office has a view of where Mr. Fricks was hiding….I spend 40 hours a week in a building where I thought I might die,” Martin said.

Federal Public Defender Bob Fischer said Fricks was taking a powerful medication for a sleep disorder, was distraught over the recent loss of his accounting job and was failing to provide economically for his wife and two home-schooled children.

Fricks’ conduct the day of the robbery was “an aberrant act” for which he is deeply contrite, Fischer said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Harrington said the robbery was planned, was violent and had “real and true victims.” He argued for a sentencing range of 46 to 57 months, while Fricks’ lawyer argued for 12 to 24 months.

Before he was sentenced, a trembling Fricks apologized through tears to his victims. “I haven’t threatened anyone before. I just don’t want my family to suffer,” he said. He also faces five years’ probation after he’s released from prison.

Despite Fricks’ close and supportive family and a letter from Fricks’ minister on his behalf, Suko said the robbery warranted a stiff sentence. “You essentially took over a bank,” Suko said.

“I hope you’ll never be back before the court,” Suko added after the sentencing.