Man arrested after multiple bank robberies
A man is accused of going on a crime spree in Colorado Springs on Wednesday afternoon, robbing several banks and a sporting goods store, then giving away the stolen money in a hotel lobby.
David Anderson, 26, is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery after the string of robberies.
Colorado Springs police said the first robbery happened just after 1 p.m. at Big 5 Sporting Goods in the 1800 block of West Uintah Street. Anderson is accused of entering the store with a shotgun and demanding another weapon. An employee struggled with Anderson, who then fired a shot inside the store, according to police, then left while making suicidal comments.
Anderson then made his way to the Adams Bank and Trust in the 200 block of East Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard. He stole an undisclosed amount of money, then poured gasoline around the outside of the bank. Anderson was unsuccessful in lighting a fire, police said.
Minutes later, he tried to rob the UMB Bank across the street. However, a security guard confronted the Anderson and would not allow him to enter.
Anderson then headed downtown, throwing money out of his car window as he drove, police said. He made his way to Chase Bank in the 400 block of North Tejon Street, where he obtained an undisclosed amount of money.
“People were out on the road and saw money flying around,” said Scott Boe, a witness. “They stopped and picked it up. I figured it was something that wasn’t good, so I kept driving.”
The chaos ended at the Antlers Hilton downtown, where police found Anderson handing out money in the lobby of the hotel. Police took him into custody at the hotel.
“He left the money and the gun in the car,” said Michael Jaquet, a witness. “He tried to get away, even though he didn’t really run. It doesn’t sound to me like the guy was robbing the bank out of necessity; more of maybe a dare.”
Palmer High School was on lockdown for a short time during the incident. No one was injured during the crime spree.
Police are asking anyone who picked up stolen money to return it to Colorado Springs Police so they can return it to the banks.
