KC-Area Man Charged with Four Bank Robberies

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Kansas City, Mo.-area man has been charged with robbing four banks in Independence, Liberty and Kansas City – three of them in the past two weeks.

Tam Henry Holmes, 56, of the Kansas City metropolitan area, was charged with four counts of bank robbery in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Monday, April 17, 2017. Holmes remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Thursday, April 20, 2017.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Holmes entered Central Bank of Kansas City, 2301 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo., at about 1 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2016. Holmes allegedly approached the teller counter and placed a note up against the bullet-proof glass and whispered “700.” The teller told investigators she could not read what was printed on the note, but Holmes continued to whisper “700” and she realized it was a robbery. The teller turned over $450 to Holmes, who then left the bank. The bank reported a loss of $450.

On April 1, 2017, Holmes entered Bank of the West, 850 S. 291 Hwy., Liberty, Mo., at about 10:15 a.m., according to the affidavit. Holmes allegedly held up a spiral notebook containing hand written notations. The teller told investigators that she read the first couple of lines, which she recalled were, “this is a robbery, give me all your large bills.” The teller gathered money from her drawer and gave it to Holmes, the affidavit says, and he left the bank. The bank reported a loss of $8,300.

On April 3, 2017, Holmes entered the Greater Kansas City Public Safety Credit Union, 19341 E. US 40 Hwy., Independence, Mo., at about 2:30 p.m., according to the affidavit. Holmes allegedly walked up to a teller counter and showed the teller two hand-written notes on two yellow Post-it notes. The notes, according to the affidavit, said, “this is a robbery. Don’t pull any dye packs, bail or alarms. I know where you live.” The teller removed cash from her drawer and handed it to Holmes, the affidavit says, and he left the bank. The credit union reported a loss of $12,205.

On April 15, 2017, Holmes entered First Federal Bank of Kansas City, 3500 Noland Rd., Independence, according to the affidavit. Holmes allegedly held up a handwritten note that said, “give me all the money, hurry up, or I will hurt you.” The teller opened her drawer and handed Holmes $100 and $50 bills. She then stared at Holmes, who stated, “hurry up or I’ll do what the note says.” The teller then gave Holmes $20, $10 and $5 bills. Holmes took the money, put it in his pockets and walked out of the bank, the affidavit says. The bank reported a loss of $4,050.

Larson cautioned that the charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the FBI.