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Del. Police: Serial Bank Robber Arrested Just Before Committing Another Crime

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Police in Delaware say they arrested a serial robber just before he was about to commit yet another robbery.

According to police, an investigation began March 10 at 9:06 a.m., when a white male suspect entered the M&T Bank in the Astro Shopping Center and handed a demand note to two female tellers. The two tellers handed over cash and the suspect fled.

A second robbery happened on April 8, when the same suspect entered the WSFS Bank at 3202 Kirkwood Highway at 10:53 a.m. and, in the same fashion as before, obtained an undisclosed amount of money and fled.

On April 18, the suspect attempted to rob the PNC Bank at 4725 Kirkwood Highway but was unsuccessful. The same day, he entered the Delaware First Federal Credit Union at 1815 Newport Gap Pike and was able to take more cash.

Days later, on April 30th, the suspect robbed the PNC Bank in Greenville.

After a lengthy investigation, detectives were able to identify Michael D. James, 35, of Newport, as the serial robbery suspect.

Covert Surveillance of James was ordered, and at 12:31 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th, James was observed walking towards the Wells Fargo at 2024 Naamans Road.

Police were able to arrest James as he walked through the parking lot. A search of James revealed that he was about to commit another bank robbery.

James is now charged with one count of robbery first degree, one count of attempted robbery first degree, eight counts of robbery second degree, and two counts a wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $75,000 cash bail.

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