SAN FRANCISCO — Using tattoos, similar clothing, and a similar modus operandi, federal authorities have linked one man to eight bank robberies in January and February, court records show.
Willie Thomas III, 33, was charged with bank robbery, a federal offense, in a criminal complaint that accuses him of robbing eight San Francisco banks, some of which were hit on the same day. All told, authorities say that nearly $25,000 was taken from the banks in total.
The robber targeted Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, Bank of the West, and U.S. Bank branches in San Francisco. In some of the incidents, the robber threatened to harm or kill tellers, using written notes, authorities said.
Thomas was linked to the robberies by a tattoo and scar on his hands, seen in surveillance footage of some robberies, as well as distinctive clothing. Authorities allege Thomas reused clothing for multiple robberies, including colorful, distinctive pants and shirts. In one robbery, he allegedly dressed up like a woman, with a wig and purse.
“In the second and third bank robberies, the demand notes, the white round N95 mask, and the brown Vans Sk9-Hi MTE-2 style shoes captured by the bank surveillance cameras appear to be identical,” FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Kim wrote in the criminal complaint. “In the first and fifth robberies, the black and red Nike Jordan flu game 12 basketball shoes captured by the bank surveillance cameras appear to be identical.”
Thomas was arrested Feb. 17, released from custody, and re-arrested in San Francisco on April 13 when the federal charges were filed. He is due in court Friday for a detention hearing where a federal magistrate will determine whether to keep him in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bond, or to release him outright.
Source: www.mercurynews.com