ST. LOUIS – A man suspected of robbing a Commerce Bank branch last weekend turned himself in after being identified by a family member.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, officers responded to the Commerce Bank in the 6300 block of Chippewa Street around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 8.
Police learned a man walked into the bank, handed the teller a demand note and threatened to shoot the teller if they didn’t comply. The teller acquiesced and the robber left the bank with $2,000 in cash.
After reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses, investigators described the suspect as a man with short hair, wearing a grey jacket, jeans, and carrying a black backpack.
Police later identified the suspect as Billy E. Washington, 29.
During the course of the investigation, a member of Washington’s family went to police and reported the robbery.
Washington later surrendered and admitted to robbing the bank, police said. He told investigators he spent the money at a Target store and a local mall.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Washington with first-degree robbery. Washington remains jailed without bond. No future court dates were found in online records.
According to police, Washington was on bond for multiple pending felonies, including a first-degree sodomy case in Perry County and stealing – over $750 in St. Louis City.