Detective catches serial bank robber after spotting vehicle of interest in Pueblo

A Pueblo County Detective was working on an unrelated investigation when he spotted two vehicles that resembled the ones used in a string of bank robberies in Southern Colorado.

The detective saw the vehicles of interest, a green GMC Envoy and a white GMC truck, at a home in the 100 block of S. Trevino Drive in Pueblo West Wednesday morning. The green GMC Envoy resembled a one used in the robberies of Bank of San Juans, TBK Bank and ENT Bank in Pueblo West from March 29 through May 24. The white GMC truck was similar to the one believed to be used in at least two other area bank robberies, one in Colorado Springs and one in Pueblo.

Detectives determined that the same owner of both vehicles lived at the address and questioned him and his wife. Detectives then executed a search warrant and based on the evidence found in the search and interviews, detectives arrested Chad Ray Hovet, 35, in connection with the three Pueblo West bank robberies. He is also a person of interest in two other bank robberies, the UMB Bank in Colorado Springs on April 11 and a Wells Fargo Bank in Pueblo on May 24.

Hovet was arrested on three counts of aggravated robbery, 13 counts of menacing and two counts of theft. He was booked into Pueblo County Jail.

The investigation is continuing and other charges are likely.