PIERCE COUNTY: Bank Robber Foiled In 2 Holdup Attempts

A bank robber went 0-2 in separate holdups Monday and ended up with a snoot full of red dye to boot.

He’s also suspected in a third robbery at one of the same banks less than two weeks ago.

His first attempt Monday was about 9:40 a.m. at a Chase Bank branch at 6916 19th St. W. in University Place, said Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer.

The robber had a brown rag over his face when he entered the bank and implied he had a weapon. He didn’t reckon on running into an armored car guard who saw what was happening and drew a weapon, Troyer said. The robber ran away without a dollar.

He was described as white, in his 20s and wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and black pants.

About a half-hour later, a similar-looking man robbed the Heritage Bank at 8801 South Tacoma Way, said Lakewood police spokeswoman Lt. Heidi Hoffman. He implied he had a weapon and was given cash, she said.

He ran south on South Tacoma Way carrying the money, which also had a red dye pack inside. The pack exploded, covering the man with red dye, Hoffman said.

The robber dropped the money in a parking lot and fled. A K-9 unit followed the man’s trail to a parking lot, where he apparently jumped into a vehicle and got away.

Investigators believe the man in both robbery attempts also robbed the same Heritage Bank on Dec. 16. That time he got away with some cash, Hoffman said.

Stacey Mulick and Mike Archbold, The News Tribune