The Seattle Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) believes the bank robber nicknamed the “Summertime Heat Robber” is in custody. After an exhaustive review of 12 bank robberies in Washington state, investigators believe that the subject’s description and disguises used may be identifiable with Nicholas J. Nelson, 28, of North Bend, Washington, and his clothing.

The Seattle SSTF is still seeking to apprehend Christopher Titian, 24, of Canada. Investigators developed information that suggests Titian assisted the Summertime Heat Robber by driving him to and from three bank robberies.

Authorities have had Nelson in custody since January 9, 2016. At approximately 8:30 p.m., Auburn Police Department patrol officers arrested Nelson, allegedly in the act of attempting to rob, with a knife, the customer service desk at a Fred Meyer store in Auburn, WA. Investigators also believe that Nelson is responsible for the January 2nd robbery of the customer service desk at a Fred Meyer in Issaquah, Washington, which similarly involved a knife. Based on these two incidents, the King County Prosecutor’s Office has filed two counts of robbery against Nelson.

During the January 2nd robbery, the subject wore a blue, hooded jacket and dark glasses. During the January 9th robbery, the subject wore a pink or red hooded jacket. The Summertime Heat Robber typically wore black sunglasses and a baseball cap, and different hooded sweatshirts or a scarf over his face. The Seattle SSTF continues to investigate the following Washington state robberies attributed to the Summertime Heat Robber, including a possible connection to Nelson:

• Wednesday, December 9, 2015 – Bank of America on Bendigo Blvd. N, North Bend
• Thursday, December 3, 2015 – U.S. Bank on NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah
• Tuesday, December 1, 2015 – Bank of America on Front Street, Issaquah
• Wednesday September 30, 2015 – Crossroads Bank of America on NE 8th St., Bellevue
• Saturday, September 26, 2015 – Chase Bank on Klahanie Dr., Klahanie (Issaquah)
• Monday, September 21, 2015 – Union Bank on Avondale Way, Redmond
• Thursday, September 15, 2015 – Chase Bank on Klahanie Dr., Klahanie (Issaquah)
• Saturday, August 2, 2014 – Chase Bank on A Street, Auburn
• Thursday, July 24, 2014 – Cascade Federal Credit Union on 80th Ave. S, Kent
• Friday, July 11, 2014 – Key Bank on NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah
• Wednesday, June 25, 2014 – Key Bank on NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah
• Saturday, February 22, 2014 – Key Bank on NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah

Investigators believe Titian drove the Summertime Heat Robber to and from the June 25th and July 11th robberies in Issaquah, and the July 24th robbery in Kent.

Please note that Nelson has not been charged with these additional 12 robberies. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The SSTF is only releasing this information at this time in order to reassure the public that investigators no longer expect additional robberies by the Summertime Heat Robber. During the robberies, the subject made physical threats and, on one occasion, implied that he had a weapon. At the July robbery, the he knocked over a security guard on the way out of the bank. Based on that information, investigators previously warned the public that the Summertime Heat Robber should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The Seattle Safe Streets Task Force works to identify, disrupt, and dismantle existing and emerging violent criminal enterprises and gangs in King County, as well as other individuals and groups whose criminal activity negatively impacts the Puget Sound area. The Task Force includes members from the FBI, Auburn Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, Everett Police Department, Lynnwood Police Department, Kent Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle Police Department, and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.