FBI suspects serial bank robber of crimes in Spokane and Utah

A bank robber suspected in two Spokane credit union heists in early January is wanted by the FBI in connection with three bank robberies in Utah.

The robberies in Spokane both occurred at Alaska Federal Credit Unions inside Safeway stores. The first robbery was reported at the Alaska Credit Union inside the Safeway at 933 E. Mission Ave. just before 11 a.m. The man reportedly handed a teller a note that said he had a weapon and demanded cash.

While police were investigating that robbery, a second robbery occurred at the Alaska Credit Union inside the Safeway at 2507 W. Wellesley Ave. He handed the teller a note that said he had a weapon and demanded cash. No gun was displayed in either robbery, Spokane Police said.

The man, who has been photographed multiple times wearing a gray hooded jacket, blue jeans and a beanie covering a baseball hat, is estimated to be between 5-foot-11 inches and 6-foot-1, and to be around 50 to 60 years old.

All three of the Utah robberies occurred at US Bank branches in Smith’s grocery stores in or around West Jordan, near Salt Lake City. The first robbery was on Dec. 19 in West Valley, the second on Dec. 27 in West Jordan, and the third on the same date at a different Smith’s in West Jordan. In each case, the robber displayed a gun tucked in his waistband.

For that reason, the FBI cautioned that the robber should be considered armed and dangerous.

Crime Stoppers in Spokane is offering a cash reward to anyone providing information that leads to an arrest. Tips can be made at www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.