CHEYENNE — A local man was arrested Thursday afternoon in east Cheyenne, accused of back-to-back local bank robberies and assaulting a police officer.
Around 3 p.m., the Cheyenne Police Department received a report of a robbery at Jonah Bank of Wyoming at 205 Storey Blvd. The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Cheyenne resident Eric Smith. Smith entered the bank, then proceeded to threaten employees and demand cash, according to witness statements. He reportedly fled the bank on foot.
While officers responded to the initial scene, dispatch relayed a report of a stolen vehicle in the 300 block of Arbor Lane. This was quickly followed by a second reported robbery at 3:40 p.m. at Western Vista Federal Credit Union, 3207 Sparks Road, according to a CPD press release.
Following the second robbery, CPD posted on Facebook that “officers are advising all financial institutions to close their doors and report any suspicious activity.”
Prior to stealing the car, Smith made his way to Burns Insurance on Storey Boulevard. There, he attempted to “borrow” a car, according to surveillance footage released on CPD’s Facebook page.
Once he was denied a vehicle, he left the premises and proceeded to steal a vehicle from a nearby neighborhood.
Smith had used the stolen vehicle to drive to the second bank, following the same pattern of entering the financial institution, threatening workers and demanding cash.
While officers were still searching both robbery sites, a man matching Smith’s description was reported for attempting to burglarize a woman at a residence near the 2200 block of Meadow Drive at 3:57 p.m., according to the press release.
Smith fled the residence on Meadow Drive, taking off toward Taft Avenue, where officers spotted him walking. Smith ignored commands to stop, instead throwing a hammer, which struck a police officer, CPD said in the release.
Smith was ultimately apprehended by a K9 and transported to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, according to the press release.
Smith was transferred to the Laramie County jail after he received medical clearance. He was booked on three counts of aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft and aggravated assault of a police officer.
At 4:10 p.m., CPD reported via Facebook that all financial institutions in the capital city could resume normal activity.
“Officers are currently working to recover the money,” CPD public information officer Alexandra Farkas told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
The Cheyenne Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are working together on the ongoing investigation.
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