This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A bank robbery suspect who was arrested by police after he biked away from the crime scene with wads of cash flying out of his pockets made his first appearance in U.S. District Court on Friday.
Cole Douglas Webster of Salt Lake City, 32, is charged with felony bank robbery, according to a complaint filed in federal court.
Webster allegedly entered a Bank of the West at 142 E. 200 South in Salt Lake City around 2 p.m. on Thursday and jumped onto a teller counter. He proceeded to grab cash out of the counter, stuffing it into his pockets, before leaving the bank and getting on a green bicycle, the complaint states.
Webster pedaled away wearing a black mask, dark gloves, jeans, a black hoodie and sunglasses — allowing Salt Lake City police to spot him minutes after Bank of the West employees reported the robbery, according to the complaint.
Police followed Webster as he rode a few blocks away from the bank, where they saw him ditch the bicycle and start to run from authorities. Officers chased him and quickly arrested him, the complaint states.
Police recovered cash strewn around the area where he was arrested, as well as the green bicycle he used, according to the complaint. His pocket contained a note stating "Give me all the money now!"
After his arrest, Webster confessed to police that he had robbed the bank. He admitted to robbing the same bank on Jan. 7 and Jan. 19, as well as a Mountain America Credit Union at 1225 S. Redwood Road on Jan. 31, the complaint states.
Webster appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba and was appointed a public defender. He will remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals and will next appear in court onTuesday.