Police: Ex-Con With Gambling Problem Charged In Bank Robberies
FERNDALE (WWJ) - Police say a 44-year-old ex-con with gambling issues has been charged in a string of Metro Detroit bank holdups.
John Westpfahl was arrested on Monday and charged Wednesday for a bank robbery that occurred in Ferndale at the Charter One bank on December 6.
Westpfahl, who is on probation and has a 2006 bank robbery conviction, is suspected of committing the Ferndale bank robbery as well as two bank robberies in Birmingham and another bank robbery in Clinton Township. All the bank robberies happened on a Tuesday.
Ferndale Police, Birmingham Police, Clinton Township Police and the FBI worked together to capture Westpfahl.
Westpfhal is currently held the Oakland County jail with a $200,000 bond. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison.
Investigations are continuing as to the other bank robberies and Westpfahl could face more charges in the future.
