Serial Bank Robber Known as the “Bicycle Bandit” Sent to Federal Prison

SPOKANE—Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Lucas Gregory Woodard, age 34, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to prison yesterday after previously pleading guilty to committing nine armed bank robberies in Spokane and to brandishing a firearm during one of those robberies. He was ordered to serve 17 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court supervision after he is released. Woodard was also ordered to pay restitution to the banks for the losses incurred and to the Spokane Police Department for damages to a police cruiser that resulted at the time of his arrest. He has been detained since his arrest on October 14, 2010.

Woodard robbed the following Spokane-area banks, each of which is insured by the FDIC or the NCUAB: (1) a branch of the Sterling Savings Bank on December 22, 2009; (2) a branch of the Chase Bank on February 13, 2010; (3) another branch of the Chase Bank on April 19, 2010; (4) a third branch of the Chase Bank on May 18, 2010; (5) a branch of the U.S. Bank on May 26, 2010; (6) a branch of the Spokane Federal Credit Union on July 28, 2010; (7) a branch of the Inland Northwest Bank on August 13, 2010; (8) a branch of the Washington Trust Bank on August 24, 2010; and (9) another a branch of the Washington Trust Bank on October 14, 2010.

During each robbery Woodard arrived at the bank riding a bicycle. He wore clothing to disguise his identity and donned a facial covering. In all but one robbery he carried a handgun, which he pointed at victim tellers and, in some instances, bank customers. After taking money from the victim tellers he demanded every individual in the banks lay face-down on the floor and count backward from 500 as he exited. He rode the bicycle to flee from the banks. After the October 14, 2010 robbery, alert citizens outside the bank called 911 and an off-duty Spokane police officer in the area was able to track Woodard’s whereabouts as he fled on the bicycle. Woodard was arrested minutes after the robbery when he collided with the police officer’s cruiser. He had a loaded 9mm handgun with him and 30 additional rounds of 9mm ammunition at time.

Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated: “Lucas Gregory Woodard has been held accountable for the crimes he committed and the fear he instilled in the victims and our community. The exemplary assistance from alert citizens and the cooperative efforts of our dedicated federal and city of Spokane law enforcement partners are commendable.”

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Joseph Harrington, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

10-CR-135-WFN 11-CR-084-WFN