String of bank robberies probed

SOUTH JORDAN — Police from several agencies are investigating a string of bank robberies and attempted robberies that may be connected. In most of the cases, at least one of the men is wearing what appears to be a fake beard.

The robbers are believed to have hit or attempted to hit at least three banks Tuesday, and may be responsible for as many as a half-dozen robberies throughout Salt Lake County, according to investigators.

A man who appeared to be wearing a fake beard and carrying a handgun walked into Key Bank, near 11400 South and 3600 West just after 11 a.m. and robbed the business of an undisclosed amount of cash, said South Jordan police Sgt. Dan Starks.

The bearded man arrived at the bank with a second man in a stolen vehicle, and then left in another stolen vehicle, he said. Starks did not release information Tuesday on where the second vehicle came from, saying it was part of the investigation.

About 1:45 p.m. a man witnesses said was wearing what appeared to be a fake beard walked into U.S. Bank near 1300 East and Foothill Blvd., said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder. The man had his hand inside a satchel hanging off his shoulder, but did not take his hand out, she said.

The man walked in, looked around, and then left, she said. Another man was waiting outside in a car. The suspicious circumstance was enough to prompt employees to call police. Investigators believe they found the car a couple of blocks away, Snyder said, and later determined it was stolen in Herriman. It was unclear if it was the same car used in the South Jordan robbery.

Detectives in both South Jordan and Salt Lake said they were investigating whether the two incidents were connected and related to other robberies like one that day in West Valley.

Earlier this month, an armed man reportedly wearing a fake beard robbed Beehive Credit Union, 2072 S. 2200 East. A stolen vehicle used as the getaway car in the Dec. 4 incident was found abandoned a few blocks away. Witnesses said they thought they spotted a man getting into another car in that area.

Anyone with information can call police at 840-4000 or 799-3000.

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