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Man suspected of robbing 6 banks in Arizona
PHOENIX - A man suspected of robbing six banks in Arizona and two in Nevada told authorities he did so to pay off a debt with the Mexican cartel, according to court documents.
FBI Phoenix Field Office officials said 45-year-old Jeffrey Patterson was arrested on March 2 after allegedly robbing a Chase Bank in Cave Creek.
During one of the robberies, Patterson allegedly gave the teller a note that read, "I owe $9,300 to a Mexican cartel. They want it tomorrow or my wife and son will die. This is not a game and I am desperate. I need $9,300 now. Loose bills, no bands. And no dye packs. If they don't get this money EVERYONE will die. PLEASE help me. Sound the alarm after I leave. Once I deliver the money I will turn myself in. I just want to save my family. The money now. You have 20 seconds of me staying nice, then I get angry."
Patterson produced similar notes during the other robberies.
A man suspected of robbing six banks in Arizona and two in Nevada told authorities he did so to pay off a debt with the Mexican cartel, according to court documents.
Patterson is connected to five previous robberies over a 15-day span last month, according to authorities.
The FBI said the robberies occurred at the following banks:
- February 4, 2021, Wells Fargo Bank, 15760 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Scottsdale
- February 10, 2021, Chase Bank, 13602 North 7th Street, Phoenix
- February 16, 2021, Chase Bank, 4714 South Rural Road, Tempe
- February 18, 2021, Wells Fargo Bank, 1004 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler
- February 19, 2021, National Bank of Arizona, 5360 North La Cholla Boulevard, Tucson
- March 2, 2021, Chase Bank, 17140 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
MORE: 'Piggy Bank Bandit': Suspect accused of robbing 6 Arizona banks
Authorities say Patterson entered each bank, went to an open teller, demanded money and walked away.
Upon his arrest, authorities said a black pellet gun and a .22 caliber handgun were found in Patterson's vehicle. Patterson told authorities he used the handgun while committing the Cave Creek robbery and said he also used it while committing a robbery at an ice cream shop in Nevada.
In total, Patterson allegedly stole over $30,000 from the Arizona banks.
No one was injured during the robberies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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