WMW viewer tips help lead FBI, investigators to accused 'Roscoe Bandit' bank robber

FUGITIVE CAPTURED November 12, 2014 -- Washington's Most Wanted viewer tips called into Crime Stoppers helped the FBI capture a suspect believed to be the bank robber nicknamed “The Roscoe Bandit." The FBI says on Wednesday afternoon, Grants Pass Police Department detectives arrested William Mitchell, 55, in Grants Pass, Oregon. The The Seattle Safe Streets Task Force believes Mitchell may be identifiable as The Roscoe Bandit who has allegedly committed at least four bank robberies in Washington state:

    A Federal Arrest Warrant was issued Wednesday morning in the Western District of Washington, charging Mitchell with bank robbery. Spokane Police Department officers identified Mitchell after collecting and reviewing surveillance footage associated with the November 7th bank robbery in Spokane. Officers identified a vehicle of interest in the video and followed that lead to develop further information about the Roscoe Bandit. This information ultimately led to his identification. Community assistance also played a significant part in that process, both in terms of tips generated by media publicity and cooperation during police interviews. The FBI says this capture reflects partnerships across the northwest. In addition to the alert and proactive effort by the Grants Pass Police Department, this investigation is being conducted jointly by the Spokane Police Department, the Olympia Police Department, and the FBI throughout Washington and Oregon.

    NEW PHOTO: November 7, 2014 Numerica Credit Union in Spokane

    FUGITIVE UPDATE November 7, 2014: The FBI says the 'Roscoe Bandit' hit again on Friday -- this time at a bank in Spokane. He's now accused of four bank robberies, including two in Seattle in July, and one in Olympia in October.

    NEW PHOTO: October 30, 2014 Timberland Bank in Olympia

    FUGITIVE WANTED BY FBI, August 14, 2014 -- Seattle police need your helping bagging an armed bank robber. Detectives say he robbed two banks in Seattle back-to-back last month on the 28th and 29th, and the gun he used got him named the "Roscoe Bandit." Retired Seattle detective Myrle Carner explains why as he takes you through his heists. "As you look at these videos, you're going to see two different videos, same suspect. In one video he's wearing a red coat. In the other one he's got a blue outfit, with a very distinctive hat, somebody knows what those initials mean on that. But, here's this guy. He's very calm, cool, collected. In the one bank robbery as you watch the video, you'll see where he just pulls up his shirt and exposes the gun. In the other video where he's wearing the red coat, that's why we've nicknamed him the 'Roscoe Bandit,' because he points a very large, looks like a revolver at the victim in this case, the teller. And, there's an old term, guys that carry old guns like that, we nicknamed them 'Roscoe', so hence we call him the 'Roscoe Bandit'. Give us a call. This guy is very dangerous."

    Authorities need your help identifying the robber before he pulls the trigger. They think he's black, in his late 30s, about 6-feet-tall, and was wearing that distinctive baseball hat with the letters CA intertwined on it. If you recognize him, call an anonymous tip into: CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS You will get an automatic $1,000 dollar cash reward if your tip leads to an arrest and charges. You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest. Click here for information on how to text a tip to Crime Stoppers.