DENVER — The "Penguin Bandit" — a man linked to multiple bank robberies in Denver — is in custody, FBI Denver said Friday.
A criminal complaint and arrest affidavit document identifies the "Penguin Bandit" as 41-year-old Samuel Richard Ruthstrom.
A federal legal database indicates Ruthstrom was arrested Feb. 8. He is charged by federal complaint in connection with a series of bank robberies in Denver, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado (USACO).
The affidavit accuses Ruthstrom of robbing four banks in less than a month, between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18., and says he attempted to rob a fifth. The document also links him to a "suspicious incident" at a sixth bank, when a man reportedly entered the facility seconds before 6 p.m. and got frustrated when told it was closed.
Investigators had been looking for Ruthstrom since January — in collaboration with the FBI's Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, Denver Metro Crime Stoppers began circulating a bulletin last month, asking for the community's help in identifying the "Penguin Bandit," a moniker given to the suspect for his unique walk.
The incidents Ruthstrom is connected to are as follows, according to the affidavit:
- Jan. 2, 2024 - Robbery at Zing Credit Union at 1095 N. Federal Blvd.
- Jan. 8, 2024 - Robbery at Canvas Credit Union at 2027 S. University Blvd.
- Jan. 9, 2024 - Robbery at Canvas Credit Union at 815 N. Colorado Blvd.
- Jan. 16, 2024 - "Suspicious incident" at Canvas Credit Union at 7055 E. Evans Ave.
- Jan. 17, 2024 - Robbery at Wells Fargo at 3155 E. 1st Ave.
- Jan. 18, 2024 - Attempted robbery at Wells Fargo at 2043 S. Colorado Blvd.
The affidavit says an anonymous tip from Denver Metro Crime Stoppers identified Ruthstrom as the "Penguin Bandit" on Jan. 23., leading an investigator on the case to match his appearance to the physical descriptions given by the robbery victims.
The investigator also found that Ruthstrom was on parole for a state felony burglary conviction, per the affidavit. Surveillance footage from the Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Office confirmed Ruthstrom has the same walking pattern the robbery suspect reportedly had.
Additionally, details from Ruthstrom's call records were used to place him in the cases he's connected to. According to the affidavit, cellular tower data are consistent with the times and locations of several of the robberies as well as the suspicious incident.
Ruthstrom is due in court for an arraignment on March 20.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS
