FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
MARCH 30, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GARRETT PARK MAN INDICTED FOR EIGHT BANK ROBBERIES
GREENBELT, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that a federal grand jury has indicted Thomas C. Springer, age 56, of Garrett Park, Maryland for bank robbery.
The eight-count indictment, returned yesterday, charges Springer with seven bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery committed between November 2004 and November 2005. The indictment alleges that Springer stole approximately $17,996 during the robberies. The affidavit filed with Springer’s criminal complaint indicates that in each robbery Springer approached the teller window and passed a note which read, “Bank Robbery.”
According to the affidavit, on November 30, 2005, Springer entered the Chevy Chase Bank at 10821 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, Maryland. Springer approached the teller window and passed a note which read, “Bank Robbery.” The teller turned over $400.00 in the form of four serialized dye packs and Springer then fled the bank with the serialized dye packs. A citizen/bank customer was in the Chevy Chase Bank drive through at the time and was alerted to the bank robbery. The citizen observed the dye packs explode in Springer’s coat pocket as he ran to his vehicle, which was parked nearby. The citizen followed Springer as he drove to the Wheaton Plaza Mall, contacting the Montgomery County Police 911 call taker and providing information about Springer’s location. Plain clothes Montgomery County Police detectives located Springer and his vehicle in the Wheaton Plaza parking lot and arrested him. There was red dye on Springer’s hands and clothes, as well as in his vehicle. The blue pen apparently used to write the last demand note was recovered when Springer was searched after his arrest.
The maximum penalty for each count of bank robbery is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The defendant is currently incarcerated and an arraignment on these charges will be set in the near future.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Montgomery County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Trusty, who is prosecuting the case.
This page last modified—March 31, 2006