5 arrested, 2 at large in series of takeover-style bank robberies

SEATTLE — The FBI South Sound Gang Task Force arrested five people Thursday who are believed to be responsible for takeover-style bank robberies in Washington.

The FBI said the suspects entered banks in groups, covered head-to-toe in loose clothing and gloves, and demanded money while jumping over teller counters.

Anthony Mosley, 46, of Tacoma was arrested along with three men and a woman from Los Angeles.

Police have also issued arrest warrants for a man and a woman in Los Angeles who remain at large.

According to the federal documents, the seven suspects committed at least three bank robberies in Washington including a US Bank Branch in Lakewood on Sept. 6, a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Seattle on Oct. 22, and a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Kirkland on Dec. 20.

Investigators are also looking into a possible connection between the group of suspects and similar robberies of a Washington Federal Bank in Federal Way on Sept. 13, at least 10 bank robberies in Michigan committed between August 2011 and August 2012, and at least one bank robbery in Ohio in 2012.

FBI agents arrested the five suspects on Dec. 22 on state bank robbery charges as they prepared to board a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles.  Investigators were waiting at the bus station, based on information that the group frequently traveled to Los Angeles by Greyhound bus within days of a bank robbery.

KIRO