Arrest of Bank Robber in Norman

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—Special Agent in Charge James E. Finch of the Oklahoma City Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrest of John Paul Matthews, age 44, of Norman, Oklahoma, for the robbery of the Republic Bank and Trust, 1200 E. Lindsey Street, Norman, Oklahoma on October 7, 2013.

At approximately 6:55 p.m. yesterday, a male dressed in women’s clothing entered the Republic Bank & Trust branch located at 1200 E. Lindsey Street in Norman. The male approached a teller and presented a note that indicated that he had a gun and demanded money. The robber left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. A witness observed the subject enter a white Cadillac and recognized the individual based on photographs from media coverage of the previous robbery of the Arvest Bank, 1335 W. Lindsey, Norman, Oklahoma, on September 27, 2013. The witness was able to provide investigators with a license plate number. Subsequent investigation led authorities to the 1700 block of Classen in Norman, where Matthews was arrested by FBI agents and officers of the Norman Police Department at approximately 2:15 this morning.

Matthews was transported to the Grady County Jail and is expected to have an initial appearance in federal court in Oklahoma City today. Matthews is expected to face federal bank robbery charges for both robberies. The FBI would like to thank the Norman Police Department for their assistance in this investigation resulting in today’s arrest.

The public is reminded an arrest is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.