The 28-year-old suspect’s server became suspicious and called police after her mother told her there had been a bank robbery in the area, said a Brewery City assistant manager who asked that she not be named. The robbery had occurred about 3 p.m.; the man entered Brewery City about 3:15, court papers state.
After the man was arrested Thursday, hiding behind a refrigerator at a Bush Avenue residence, he admitted to having food and drinks at Brewery City Pizza after committing the crime, court papers state.
He “confirmed he saw police vehicles in the area and ‘assumed’ they were looking for him” when he went to Brewery City, court papers state.
The man’s criminal history includes arrests on suspicion of oxycodone possession, carrying a concealed weapon, theft, assault and driving while intoxicated.
He was ordered held at the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery during a court hearing Friday. Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor set the man’s bail at $50,000.
Police Lt. Jim Costa said Friday that Olympia detectives were able to identify the man quickly because one detective recognized him from bank surveillance footage. After police came up with a name and photo identification of the suspect, bank employees and Brewery City employees identified him, Costa said.
The Brewery City assistant manager said that the server thought the man was “kind of creepy” and cut him off after three cognacs because he seemed intoxicated. He gave another waiter an additional $10 tip, she said.
The man paid for his meal with six $10 bills.
“It’s not unusual for criminals after they commit a crime to bed down somewhere and wait until the police activity dies down,” Costa said.
During the robbery, a man walked to the teller station “soaking wet” and said, “I want money and you’re going to give it to me,” court papers state. The teller gave him an undisclosed amount of money while activating a silent alarm, according to court papers.
The teller said she thought the suspect was carrying a weapon in a jacket pocket. Costa said Friday that police have not recovered a weapon and think the suspect might have merely implied he had a handgun.
According to court papers:
The man told detectives he did not think he had committed a robbery because he had only “asked” for the money. He added that after leaving Brewery City, he bought heroin and camped out in the woods for the night.
Costa said it’s not unusual for bank robbery suspects to spend money on alcohol or drugs afterward. He added that one recent Olympia bank-robbery suspect was arrested in a casino.
“It worked out in our favor because we had an officer who recognized this person from prior contacts,” Costa said.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5445
jpawloski@theolympian.com
