West Coast bank robbery suspect arrested near Laramie
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
January 9, 2009
(Laramie) – A suspect wanted in connection with at least two armed bank robberies in the west coast area was arrested by Troopers yesterday afternoon (Thursday, January 8) near Laramie. The arrest took place approximately 15 miles east of Laramie on eastbound Interstate 80.
The suspect, 67 year old Alan D. Hurwitz, had been dubbed the "Zombie Bandit" after he robbed more than a dozen banks in the Midwest in the early 1990’s. Hurwitz, who served prison time for holdups at 18 banks across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio was arrested in 1992 and sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.
During Thursday’s traffic stop Hurwitz was arrested without incident after a Trooper recognized Hurwitz’s vehicle. Law enforcement agencies in Wyoming had been alerted by the Medford, Oregon Police Department to be on the lookout for Hurwitz’s vehicle which they believed to be traveling through the State.
Hurwitz was wanted on felony warrants by the Medford, Oregon Police Department and the FBI for allegedly robbing a bank in Medford on December 30th, 2008. Hurwitz has also been linked to a December 11th bank robbery in San Rafael, California. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken in each of the bank holdups.
It was reported that during the robbery in Oregon that Hurwitz was armed with and displayed a handgun. No handgun was seen during Thursday’s arrest. The vehicle has been taken to a secured area and has been sealed pending a search of the vehicle by FBI agents.
Hurwitz will be held at the Albany County Jail pending extradition proceedings back to the State of Oregon.
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