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Police: Teens arrested for multiple bank robberies

SEATTLE — A professional boxer from Federal Way and his 15-year-old stepson have been accused of being part of a prolific bank robbery ring known as the “Buddy Bandits.”

Vincent Thompson, 31, was booked into the Pierce County Jail on robbery charges on April 17th. He also faces charges in King County.

According to investigators, the Buddy Bandits would send Thompson’s stepson and a 14-year-old accomplice into banks, where they would hand notes to the tellers, demanding cash.

“They recruited younger kids and had them do it in exchange for part of the money and a place for them to live,” said Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer.

On Tuesday the FBI linked members of the Buddy Bandits to as many as 16 robberies. The release also has information about a third juvenile arrested, raising the total number of suspects to six.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Thompson and his 15-year-old stepson were joined by co-defendants Robert Adams, 31, and Jeffery Black, 27, along with a 14-year-old.  They are suspected in nine robberies in Tacoma, Fredrickson, Kent, Renton, Des Moines and Spokane.

A search warrant filed in King County and obtained by KIRO 7 indicates the robbery team is under investigation for nine additional robberies in Federal Way.

Thompson, who fought under the name Vicious Vincent, has a professional record of 13 wins and one loss. He was touted on several boxing websites as a contender to vie for a heavyweight title.

Thompson and Black have been charged with robbery in Pierce and King counties. Investigators said Adams was arrested Monday in King County. Thompson’s stepson is scheduled for arraignment in Pierce County juvenile court Wednesday.

The 14-year-old has been charged in King County.

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