A Waimanalo man arrested Monday admitted to robbing three banks in three days last week, according to a criminal complaint filed yesterday in federal court. Waimanalo man admits
to robbing 3 banks in 3 daysStar-Bulletin staff
Robert Enoka Torres was charged yesterday with robbing the Kaimuki branch of Hawaii National Bank last Wednesday, the American Savings Bank on Kapiolani Boulevard on Thursday and the Bank of Hawaii in Kailua on Friday.
He obtained a little more than $3,800 in all three robberies, according to the complaint.
A police officer who happens to be a distant relative, neighbor and former classmate recognized Torres in a CrimeStoppers release, the complaint says, and an anonymous caller also identified Torres as the robber in the Hawaii National Bank holdup from published photographs. The tellers from all three banks also identified him as the man who passed them a written note demanding money, the complaint says. In one of the robberies, he noted he had a gun.
In two of the robberies, Torres thanked the teller after he was given cash and was seen leaving the bank driving an older model Toyota van.
He also was seen entering the American Savings Bank in Kaneohe on Friday but left the bank without making a transaction. A bank manager saw Torres drive off in a van similar to the one seen in last Wednesday's robbery.