The FBI-deemed “Traveling Bandit” bank robber is suspected of seven robberies, including the recent robbery at Price’s Wells Fargo.
On Jan. 17, the Price branch of Wells Fargo Bank, located at 180 East Main, was robbed, the “Traveling Bandit’s” last stop on a nationwide robbery spree.
“No one was hurt in the incident and the suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash,” the Price City Police Department shared. “No customers were in the branch at the time, but a full staff of employees was present.”
The suspect was described as a white, male, 5’10”, about 180-200 pounds, goatee, with hair brown hair and gray highlights in both hair and beard. The suspect was wearing a black hat with a Chevy emblem, blue jeans and a greenish woodland camouflage jacket with a hood.
The suspect got into a cream-colored Ford Explorer, believed to be a Limited model year about 2010. It had out-of-state plates, side window guards, step runners, luggage rack, a sunroof and the front bumper had no plate, just the black bracket. The robbery suspect was the only known person in the vehicle.
Just one week later, on Thursday, Jan. 24, Jason Lee Robinson, DOB 4-7-79, of Kentucky, was arrested at a motel in Fruita, Colo. by Denver FBI special agents in regards to the Price robbery and six others. Robinson was allegedly cooperative with agents.
“Robinson is in federal custody,” the FBI announced in a press release. “Details about his initial appearance in federal court are forthcoming. Asheville Police Department, Aventura Police Department, Mt. Juliet Police Department, Mt. Vernon Police Department, Prattville Police Department, Price Police Department, the South Florida Violent Crime Task Force and the FBI continue their investigation.”
According to court records, authorities were able to identify Robinson following a criminal complaint issued by his ex-wife. His ex-wife reportedly saw a FBI news release depicting Robinson after it was distributed to news agencies nationwide. She called the FBI tip line concerning the news release, stating that the photograph in the release was consistent with Robinson’s appearance.
Court records state that Robinson was convicted in the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2009 on various federal charges. United States Bureau of Prison records reveal that Robinson was on supervised release as of November and was supposed to be restricted from leaving the state of Kentucky. Reportedly, his probation officer advised that when she interviewed him in December, he was made aware of his conditions of supervised release. This included informing the probation officer of any vehicle purchase, employment and/or law enforcement contact. The probation officer reported that Robinson had recently purchased an old Ford Explorer. The last contact the officer had with Robinson was on Dec. 17.
According to court records, Robinson is suspected of robbing seven institutions, including Dec. 28 in Miami, Flor.; Jan. 2 in Asheville, N.C.; Jan. 4 in Johnson City, Tenn.; Jan. 8 in Mount Juliet, Tenn.; Jan. 10 in Prattville, Ala.; Jan. 14 in Springfield, Ill.; and Jan. 17 in Price, Utah.
At this time, the FBI is not issuing further comments regarding the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the FBI at (754) 703-2000.