PORT HADLOCK — Robert Daniel Jones is in custody for investigation of robbing the Bank of America branch here for the second time.
Jones, who is accused of robbing the bank on Aug. 25, was arrested Wednesday in Des Moines after his sister turned him in, said Jefferson County sheriff’s officials.
Jones was convicted and served prison time for the August 2001 robbery of the same bank.
He was also convicted of robbing a Seattle bank in 1995.
Jones, 58, was taken into custody at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday by Des Moines Police officers once they verified the information Jones’ sister gave them with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Joe Nole, said Sgt. Bob Collins of the Des Moines Police Department.
“The sister of the suspect called and acknowledged he had been involved in a bank robbery in Port Hadlock,” said Collins.
He said he didn’t know how she knew about his involvement, whether Jones told her or she read it in the media.
Failed attempts in Seattle
Jones is also suspected of attempting to rob two Seattle Bank of America branches soon after the Port Hadlock was robbed of about $2,000, said Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry.
In all three incidents, bank employees were handed a note that demanded money.
The Seattle banks have bullet-proof glass separating the employees from customers.
So the tellers simply stepped back from the glass and refused to give him any money, Perry said.
Federal custody
FBI agents took Jones into federal custody from Des Moines. He is being held U.S. prison facility in Seatac.
Bank robbery is a federal offense.
“The feds have completely taken over this case,” Perry said Thursday.
Jones was scheduled for an appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Thursday afternoon, but the appearance was postponed because of medical issues, said FBI spokesperson Robbie Burroughs.
“He is technically charged with the Port Hadlock Robbery,” said Emily Langlie, U.S. Attorney Office spokesperson based in Tacoma.
He will appear in court as soon as he is healthy enough, which could be a day or a week or longer, she said.