By Rikki King Herald Writer
LYNNWOOD — Don’t worry about that guy. He’s just looking for milk.
That was the logic, at least, behind a failed getaway plan for a man accused of robbing a U.S. Bank in Lynnwood last week. The man, 50, remained behind bars Monday at the Snohomish County Jail.
The man reportedly told police he’s committed at least two bank robberies before in Oregon.
Just before 5:15 p.m. Thursday, bank tellers at the location along Highway 99 reported being robbed by a man with a rifle and a camouflage face mask. The rifle was wrapped in blankets or rags, but its barrel was visible, according to the arrest report.
Unbeknownst to the robber, his $5,400 of loot, which he stashed in his truck, contained a hidden electronic tracking device. The device drew police to the Ford F-350 pickup parked outside a grocery store near the bank. Officers reportedly could see a large bundle of cash sticking out behind some clothing in the back seat.
A green-and-white plaid jacket seen in the car also appeared to match the jacket of the bank robber, the report says.
Eventually, a police dog found the suspect hiding behind a tree across the street from the grocery store.
The man reportedly told officers that he’d be living in his truck for months and was out of money and almost out of gas. He said he then saw all the police cars after the robbery and parked at the grocery store and went inside. He bought some milk and went back outside, but the area was still filled with police. He tried hiding at a smoke shop, then at the Planned Parenthood, then behind the tree.
He was booked Friday for investigation of first-degree robbery.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449, rking@heraldnet.com.
