By Jeff Munson
A 46-year-old Carson City man who had served time in prison for bank robbery, faces federal charges in connection with Monday’s hold up of the U.S. Bank in North Carson City.
Thomas E. Baye was arrested Monday night after authorities found items in his home that directly associated him with the robbery, said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.
At approximately 3:27 p.m. Monday, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office was informed of an armed robbery at the U.S. Bank located on Market Way in North Carson City. Officers quickly descended on the area, closing off all access roads, but the suspect had already fled. There were no injuries reported at the robbery, Furlong said.
Initial witnesses described a suspect and a vehicle that was believed used. Sheriff’s deputies were stopped by Ms. Sandra DeLarge of Carson City. DeLarge had noted the license plate of the vehicle speeding away. With Ms. DeLarge’s information, deputies were able to learn that the registered owner of the vehicle was an ex-felon for “armed bank robbery” and was residing at the 1000 block of West Washington Street in Carson City, Furlong said. The suspect was identified through his registration as Thomas E. Baye, 46, said Furlong. Once on scene, officers located Baye’s vehicle in the garage and secured the area. Voluntary evacuations of the immediate residences was conducted while a SWAT team was summoned to the area, Furlong said.
At approximately 4:26 p.m., Baye exited his residence on his own and was immediately detained by deputies. A tactical search of the house by the SWAT team located no other persons inside. During a later search of the residence by FBI agents and sheriff’s detectives, items were located that directly associated Baye with the bank robbery, Furlong said. Baye was taken into custody at 6:18 p.m. and transported to the Carson City Jail.
According to FBI authorities, the suspect will remain in Carson City until Tuesday, when he will be moved to the Washoe County Jail pending federal bank robbery charges.
“The rapid successful resolution of this event would not have been possible without the quick thinking of Ms. Delarge,” Furlong said. “Less than 10 minutes after she provided the license plate number, the suspects residence was surrounded and the threat to the community contained. Our greatest gratitude goes out to Ms. Delarge for her contributions to the community.”
