Pierce County Sheriff’s Department announcement.
The afternoon of April 5, undercover deputies and Puyallup Police officers arrested a 49-year-old serial bank robbery suspect shortly after he robbed two more banks back-to-back.
At approximately 1:00pm April 5, the suspect robbed a bank in the 700 block of Shaw Rd in Puyallup. Deputies were familiar with the suspect and his vehicle because he was being investigated for several prior bank robberies. After the robbery, undercover deputies began searching for the suspect’s vehicle in the South Hill area.
Approximately 90 minutes after the robbery in Puyallup, the suspect robbed a bank in the 11500 block of Canyon Rd E.
Minutes later, the undercover deputies spotted the suspect’s vehicle. Together with a Puyallup Police officer, they stopped the car and took the suspect into custody in the 3900 block of S Meridian.
The suspect admitted to robbing 10 banks in total — 4 in King County and 6 in Pierce County. This was a joint investigation between our detectives and Auburn, Des Moines and Milton Police Departments.
Congratulations to all the professional law enforcement officers involved in the colaborative effort to put a stop to this prolific bank robber out stealing O.P.M. (Other people’s money).
Apparently this rascal subscribed to the Sutton’s Law which is where the infamous Willie Sutton (1901 – 1980) when asked why he robbed banks was rumored to state, “Because, that is where the money is.”
This criminal investigation and arrest is another example of why society should FUND, not defund the police. Police are a handy element to have around for those who wish to live in a polite and safe society.
The concept of defunding the police is a defective solution often applied to a misdiagnosed racial discrimination problem.
What is needed is more police and a mulitlevel effort to teach members of all races to comply with lawful police orders.
During my 25 years in law enforcement I obseved many many cases where citizens displayed ignorance about the importance of complying with authority. They refused to comply, argued, and then unwittingly or stubbornly faced the “Comply or Die” syndrome.
When a non-compliant individual puts society and cops at risk is when all the slack comes out of the trigger. From that point forward the suspected criminal “calls the shots”. (Play on words is instructive and intended.) Comply or die.
I will never forget the time a group of undercover officers spotted another prolific bank robber in Lakewood. I came screaming up to his location in front of a bank at the Lakewood Mall, jumped out of my marked patrol car with my gun drawn screamed at the suspect to get down on the ground. Did I shoot? Thank goodness no, I did not shoot. Why did I not shoot? Because he complied. He told me, and I will never forget it, “Officer, you got me…you got me, fair and square.” That made for a better saying. Comply and live.
Joseph Boyle – A guy with an opinion on each and every subject.
The police did their job. Thanks guys.
I imagine since it’s the banks’ money, he’ll do hard time.
If it was a citizen’s property, they’d let him go.