Crime & Safety

Alleged Serial Bank Robber Arrested

A man involved in a slew of bank robberies was arrested in Cheltenham on Monday, police say.

Original reporting by Mischa Arnosky

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said in a statement Tuesday that a man has been arrested for his alleged role in several bank robberies in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.

Cheltenham Police arrested Demetrious Marcel Washington, 26, of Philadelphia, Monday at 9 a.m. after police said they saw Washington circling a Sovereign Bank in a Ford Taurus; the bank had been targeted in two prior robberies. After a “thorough investigation of the driver,” Washington was arrested and later confessed to his involvement in several bank robberies, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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According to the FBI, there are six similar bank robberies that date back to May 15. They include robberies on the following dates and at the following branches:

·       May 15 — PNC, 6855 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia

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·       May 23 — Wells Fargo, 6611 Castor Ave., Philadelphia

·       May 28 — Sovereign, 500 Central Ave., Cheltenham

·       June 13 — Sovereign, 500 Central Ave., Cheltenham

·       June 19 — Wells Fargo, 2560 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley

·       July 10 — Wells Fargo, 600 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge

In the most recent robbery, police said a masked man walked into the bank and announced a robbery. The man demanded that both bank employees, as well as the customers, put their hands up. He then walked up to the teller line and demanded cash while pointing a gun at the tellers. 

After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the man fled on foot to the rear of the building.

Washington was arraigned Monday before District Judge Christopher Cerski. He is being held on $1 million cash bail.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Cerski on Aug. 5.

According to court documents, Washington was arrested in June of last year in Lycoming County on possession with intent to deliver charges.

In Philadelphia, he was arrested in October 2006 and found guilty of recklessly endangering another person and cruelty to animals. Washington also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February 2009 to 8 to 23 months’ incarceration for possession with intent to deliver.


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