FAYETTEVILLE -- A Colorado man was sentenced Friday to more than 12 years in federal prison for robbing a Bentonville bank in August.
Kenneth Wayne Fisher Jr., 40, of Colorado Springs pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery before federal U.S. District Judge Tim Brooks in February. Brooks sentenced Fisher on Friday to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison and levied a $10,000 fine. Fisher also was ordered to pay restitution.
Fisher went into the First Security Bank at 2501 E. Central Ave. on Aug. 28. He handed a note to the teller and said, "I'd like to cash this," according to court documents unsealed Thursday. On the note, Fisher had written "Give me the money. This is not a joke. I am very serious."
The teller gave Fisher $961, according to court documents. The teller told police she didn't give Fisher traceable money or money with a dye pack because she was nervous and scared.
Fisher left on foot with the loot and headed toward the downtown square, according to a Bentonville police news release.
Police later identified Fisher through DNA and security footage at the bank, according to the news release.
Fisher was wearing a red hat, a dark colored shirt, glasses and had a beard. A police dog found the hat and shirt near a driveway at Waterside Apartments off East Central Avenue, according to court documents. DNA on the items was matched to Fisher in October.
Police compared photographs of Fisher with bank surveillance to make a positive identification.
Fisher was passing through Northwest Arkansas with a girl when the robbery occurred. He was driving a beige or gold Toyota Avalon, police said.
Officers with the Fountain Valley, Calif., Police Department arrested Fisher on Nov. 16 after a 10-mile pursuit. He was driving a Toyota Avalon and traveling with a girl who was an endangered juvenile from Colorado, according to the news release.
Fisher was taken to the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana, Calif., where he was held until he was returned to Benton County.
NW News on 06/25/2016