Guilty Verdicts for Former Police Officer-Turned Bank Robber

PHOENIX, AZ—Chad Michael Goulding (D.O.B. 9/30/1970) has been found guilty on multiple counts of armed robbery, theft, and kidnapping in connection with a string of bank robberies that took place during a five-month period in 2006. Goulding, a former Phoenix Police officer who left the force in 2005, was accused of targeting multiple Bank of America branches in the greater Phoenix area, seizing a total of $133,650. He was apprehended after a four-year cooperative investigation involving the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force, local law enforcement agencies, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“On behalf of the citizens of Maricopa County, I am grateful for the jury’s verdict in this case and for the opportunity to hold this criminal accountable for victimizing innocent citizens and businesses in our community,” remarked Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This verdict is also a testament to the excellent cooperation and perseverance of our law enforcement partners in pursuing this case and bringing it to a just result,” he added.

“The guilty verdict of Chad Goulding for armed robbery, theft, and kidnapping has been the culmination of investigative efforts by the FBI, Chandler P.D., Glendale P.D., Mesa P.D., Phoenix P.D., and Scottsdale P.D.,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr., Phoenix Division. “In this particular case, families with children were caught in the middle of Goulding’s takeover-style bank robberies. These types of robberies pose a dangerous risk to the public and bank employees. The FBI and its law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate bank robbers in order to hold them accountable for their criminal actions.”

Between June and November of 2006, Goulding robbed five Bank of America branches in Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, and Scottsdale. In each incident, Goulding wore a ski mask or a bandana, brandished a firearm, and ordered customers to lie down on the floor. He was later identified and captured with the help of extensive detective work and assistance from the public.

In December, 2010, Goulding was arrested and indicted on 95 felony counts of armed robbery, theft, kidnapping, and aggravated assault, six counts of which were later dismissed due to the unavailability of specific witnesses. The jury convicted Goulding on 87 of the remaining 89 counts and found him not guilty on two counts related to victims who were not able to testify during the trial.

A status conference is set for March 2nd, 2012 to discuss a time frame for sentencing before Judge Joseph Kreamer. Based on the number and variety of the offenses, and the fact that thee of the kidnapping victims were children, Goulding faces a prison term ranging from a minimum of 37 years to a maximum of 890 years.