Bank robbery suspect indicted

Jace Radke

Thursday, March 23, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

A Las Vegas man arrested on a parole violation has been indicted on a bank robbery charge that the FBI believes may be the first of many charges.

Jeffrey Alan James, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on one count of bank robbery after the Salt Lake City FBI office received a tip identifying him in connection with a string of 23 bank robberies in Las Vegas and two in Utah since July 1999.

"The investigation is continuing to move forward, and we expect more charges," FBI spokesman Joseph Dickey said. "The federal prosecutor made the decision to go after one count of bank robbery first."

In all of the robberies a man usually entered the bank dressed in a suit and tie or a T-shirt, and always wearing a baseball cap. His hats included everything from a black and white camouflage hat to a hat with "DEA" (Drug Enforcement Agency) printed on it.

"He was very low-key and calm when he went into the banks," Dickey said. "He'd usually walk in with a checkbook that he set down in front of the teller, and open it up to reveal a note that said it was a robbery.

"Many times no one even knew it was a robbery except the teller until after he left."

James was arrested after being stopped by the Nevada Highway Patrol on March 12 for a parole violation. He has been in the Clark County Detention Center ever since.

Among the banks robbed in the string of heists are Nevada State Bank, 232 N. Jones Blvd.; Silver State Bank, 170 S. Rainbow Blvd.; Wells Fargo, 1775 S. Decatur Blvd.; Bank of America, 8550 W. Cheyenne Ave., and Pioneer Citizens, 460 N. Stephanie St.

Many of the banks robbed were inside grocery stores, Dickey said.

A trial date for James has not yet been set in U.S. District Court.