Dannie Kay Alston, Bank Robbery, Oregon 2017

EUGENE, Ore.—A string of brazen bank robberies ended in prison time for a 67-year-old man, who was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for robbing four Oregon and Southwest Washington banks in a four-week period beginning in August 2017.

Dannie Kay Alston, who has no known permanent residence, was ordered to pay $11,748 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

Between August 7 and September 9, 2017, Alston robbed four banks, including a Chase Bank in Vancouver, Washington, where he collected $2,300; a Wells Fargo Bank in Medford, Oregon, where he collected $4,690; a Wells Fargo Bank in Salem, Oregon, where he collected $1,317; and a First Interstate Bank in Roseburg, Oregon, where he collected $3,441.

Alston used various disguises, including sunglasses and a ball cap, to conceal his identity during the robberies. He communicated with bank tellers through handwritten notes or signs. However, at the final robbery in Roseburg, witnesses were able to provide a description of Alston’s getaway vehicle, leading to his quick arrest by the Oregon State Police.

Police recovered a note used in the Roseburg robbery, a starter’s pistol with loaded caps, a Taser, sunglasses, wig and $3,441 cash from Alston’s person and vehicle.

Alston’s extensive criminal history spans five decades and four states, with previous convictions including burglary, robbery, assault, theft, and narcotics charges.

As part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify and address violent crime problems in the community.

PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, and it focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Clark County Washington Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Roseburg Police Department, and it was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/area-man-sentenced-110-months-federal-prison-bank-robbery