FBI arrests suspect in two holdups

Jace Radke

Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 | 10:51 a.m.

Following the signal of a tracking device, FBI agents made an arrest in a downtown casino in connection with a Thursday morning bank robbery.

FBI agents arrested Bradford Flank, 54, at the Golden Nugget shortly after a 9 a.m. robbery at the U.S. Bank, 801 E. Charleston Blvd.

"We were able to find him by using the tracking device that banks often slip into packs of bills," Special Agent Kevin Caudle said.

Flank has been charged with bank robbery, and investigators believe he also is responsible for a Sept. 8 robbery at the Nevada State Bank, 201 S. Fourth St.

In both robberies investigators say that Flank went into the bank and demanded money from a teller.

During the robberies Flank would leave a duffle bag in the bank and tell the teller that it contained a bomb, authorities said.

In both robberies the Las Vegas Fire Department bomb squad was called to check the bags, forcing the evacuations of neighboring businesses and causing police to set up a protective perimeter around the bank. The bags did not contain bombs, and in the Sept. 8 robbery the bag was filled with clothes.

Authorities also arrested a second man Thursday on a charge of possession of bank robbery proceeds.

Investigators were still trying to determine his name, believing he gave a false name to arresting authorities.