Vladimir N. Shcherenkov was arraigned Friday on two counts of first-degree robbery in connection with two of the holdups. He was ordered held at the Pierce County Jail on $150,000 bail.
Court documents outline three bank robberies in Pierce County since Dec. 11. A sheriff’s detective suspects Shcherenkov was responsible for all three.
Prosecutors were awaiting additional details before deciding to charge Shcherenkov in one of the cases.
The U.S. Bank in the 11000 block of Canyon Road East was robbed Dec. 11 by a man dressed as a woman. The robber said little and handed the teller a note that demanded $4,000 cash. The robber left in a maroon car.
The next robbery was Dec. 23 when a robber wearing glasses and a purple jacket held up the Chase Bank in the 6300 block of Bridgeport Way West.
Again, the robber didn’t speak and handed the teller an envelope and a note that demanded $4,000 cash.
The most recent robbery was Jan. 14 when a robber, wearing a blonde wig and heavy makeup, held up the Columbia Bank in the 10400 block of Canyon Road East. The bandit hardly said a word and gave the teller a note on the back of a magazine that demanded $4,000 cash.
Investigators narrowed in on Shcherenkov, who has four previous convictions for bank robberies in Pierce County, and arrested him Thursday. Investigators served several search warrants and found clothing, a costume beard and sideburns, sunglass and receipts for a costume shop and Goodwill.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268
stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
