A man arrested in connection with an armed bank robbery last Friday in Connecticut is also facing fugitive from justice charges out of Washington, police said.
Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Wells Fargo Bank, located at 800 Wolcott St. in Waterbury, around 10 a.m. on Nov. 15, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department.
Officers learned that a male suspect allegedly threatened bank employees, claiming to possess a gun, even though no weapon was displayed, Bessette said. The suspect fled the scene on foot before police arrived, taking an undisclosed amount of cash, according to Bessette.
No injuries were reported, Bessette said.
The Waterbury Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau launched an investigation. Using surveillance footage, detectives quickly identified the suspect as Thomas Hopkins, 57, of Waterbury, according to Bessette.
Detectives located Hopkins near Willow Street around 1 a.m on Saturday. Hopkins allegedly attempted to flee when approached by the officers but was apprehended without incident, Bessette said.
Investigators later confirmed that Hopkins was a fugitive from justice with an active, extraditable warrant out of Seattle, Washington, for a previous robbery offense, according to Bessette.
“Hopkins, a convicted felon, has an extensive criminal history, including a felony robbery conviction in Seattle,” Bessette said.
Hopkins was taken into custody and charged as a fugitive from justice as well as charges related to the bank robbery, including first-degree robbery, second-degree threatening and second-degree larceny.
Hopkins was arraigned in court on Monday and remains in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Correction on a $550,000 bond. He is also faceing charges for an active warrant for a larceny offense out of Hartford and will be extradited at a later time to authorities in Washington, according to Bessette.
“The Waterbury Police Department commends the efforts of the Criminal Investigation Bureau for their swift and efficient work in bringing this case to a successful resolution,” Bessette said.
