Bellevue traffic camera reveals clue to catch serial bank robber

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Bellevue police used high-tech tactics to catch a serial bank robber in about 30 minutes.

According to investigators, Matthew Alan Clark, 34, robbed two banks in Lynnwood, one in Seattle and one in Bellevue.

Last Wednesday, detectives said, Clark entered the Chase bank in Bellevue at 106th Avenue NE and NE Eighth. He gave the teller a note demanding $50 and $100 bills.

The bank used a silent alarm to alert police. When officers arrived they got the picture of the robber from the surveillance cameras at the bank.

Bellevue Police accessed the traffic cameras near the bank and witnessed Clark walk outside and towards the Hyatt Hotel next door. He's seen on the traffic cameras taking off this black sweater to change his appearance.

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Bellevue Detectives talked with investigators from Lynnwood about their wanted bank robbery suspect and compared images. When they confirmed they had the same suspect, who told investigators he was a heroin addict, the detectives headed to Seattle to try to track down that cab and Clark.

Incredibly, one detective got off I-5 at James Street and drove around the block while he waited for an address to search, not knowing if he'd need to go north or south on I-5. That's when investigators say the suspect, wearing the white shirt, walked right in front of him.

Because he knew the suspect had changed his appearance, it was much easier to identify him. 
Clark was still wearing the scarf he allegedly had on the bank surveillance video. 
From the time of the Bellevue bank robbery and his arrest was 35 minutes.

Clark is charged with two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery in King County. He allegedly admitted to police that he also robbed two banks in Lynnwood that same week.

While he allegedly told officers he was addicted to heroin and was homeless, he told court administrators he didn't have a drug problem and lived with his ex-wife.

He's in the King County Jail with his bail set at $250,000.

Cox Media Group