Police Nab Suspected Serial Bank Robber After Chase In Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - A man suspected of robbing more than a half-dozen banks in Oakland County was arrested Wednesday following a police chase in Royal Oak.
The whole thing started around 12:40 p.m. when police responded to an armed robbery at TCF Bank located at Crooks and 12 Mile roads.
A bank employee told police a man brandishing a handgun walked into the bank and demanded money from the teller, who handed over an undisclosed amount of cash. The gunman, who police say matched the description of a suspect in several other area bank robberies, fled the scene on foot.
Officers patrolling the area found the suspect just as he jumped into a vehicle parked at a nearby business and sped off. Officers pursued the suspect through multiple jurisdictions, with Beverly Hills, Berkley and Southfield Officers assisting.
The pursuit ended on 11 Mile Road just west of Greenfield Road when the suspect crashed into a Southfield police cruiser. Police say the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators believe the suspect is the same individual involved in similar bank robberies in the area. The Royal Oak Police Department is working with the FBI regarding this incident and other incidents, including:
- Robbery -- March 13, 12:21 p.m. at Beverly Hills Independence Bank (Southfield and 14 Mile)
- Robbery -- Feb. 22, 9:54 a.m. at Royal Oak Citizens Bank (Lincoln and Main)
- Robbery -- Feb. 8, 10:10 a.m. at Birmingham Comerica Bank (15 Mile and Southfield)
- Robbery -- Jan. 28, 10:15 a.m. at Berkley Charter One (Woodward and Catalpa)
- Robbery -- Jan. 15, 9:50 a.m. at Royal Oak Charter One Bank (Second and Main)
- Robbery -- Dec. 26, 1:50 p.m. at Royal Oak PNC Bank (Third and Main)
- Robbery -- Dec. 20, 1:20 p.m. at Madison Heights PNC Bank (12 Mile and John R)
The suspect's identity was not immediately released.
