JCC Police Make Arrest in 2 Bank Robberies

By Sam Thrift Wednesday, October 26, 2011

James City County Police have charged a 25-year-old Richmond man with robbing the RBC Centura Bank on John Tyler Highway in August and the Citizens and Farmers Bank on Longhill Road last month.

Joel William Galindo was arrested Oct. 24 by the US Marshal’s Office when an investigation in conjunction with the Hanover Sheriff’s Office linked the suspect to bank robberies stretching as far as Fredrick, Maryland to James City County from May 10 to Oct. 5. Galindo’s spree included a robbery at M & T Bank in Hanover County on May 19. James City Police arrested Galindo Wednesday.

James City County Police believe it was Galindo who entered the RBC Centura Bank on Aug. 10 carrying a small, dark-colored bag and wearing a white hoodie, dark-colored baseball hat, sunglasses, a blue surgical mask and work-style gloves. The suspect walked up to the teller and presented a note demanding money.

After the teller complied, the suspect fled behind the shopping center on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The Newport News Police Department used a K-9 unit in an attempt to track down the suspect, but was unsuccessful.

The suspect used the same technique to rob the Citizens and Farmers bank on Sept. 19. James City County Police described the suspect as wearing a faded brown hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored baseball hat, sunglasses, a white bandana, and light-colored thin gloves. Carrying a small dark colored insulated lunch bag, the suspect walked up to the teller and produced a note demanding money. He then fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Galindo has been charged by the James City County Police with two counts of robbery for the crimes. He is currently being held at the Pamunkey Regional Jail without bond.