Evans Gets 7 Years for Armed Bank Heists

SALT LAKE CITY – A desperate gamble for cash landed David Warren Evans, 44, of Magna, Utah, a hefty 84-month federal prison sentence Wednesday. Evans pleaded guilty to robbing two Wells Fargo banks in Salt Lake City and Murray back in September 2013, bringing a swift end to a decade-long cold case.

U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell didn’t show leniency. Beyond the seven years behind bars, Evans will face 60 months of supervised release upon completion of his sentence. He’s also on the hook for $1,759 in restitution to Wells Fargo, a paltry sum considering the fear he inflicted.

Court documents reveal a brazen pattern. In the first robbery, at the Wells Fargo branch located at 1255 East Brickyard Road in Salt Lake City, Evans entered disguised in a hooded black sweatshirt, dark sunglasses, and a red bandana obscuring his face. He slapped a demand note on the teller’s counter and brandished what appeared to be a black handgun, ensuring compliance. The second hit, at 4740 South 900 East in Murray, was even more chilling – his note read: “This is a robbery, don’t make it a murder.”

The old-fashioned police work ultimately cracked the case. Investigators released still photographs from the bank’s security cameras to the media and local law enforcement. The public and sharp-eyed officers quickly identified Evans as the prime suspect. It wasn’t high-tech surveillance, but good, solid detective work that brought him down.

The Utah Safe Streets Task Force, alongside the FBI, Salt Lake City Police Department, and Murray City Police Department, collaborated on the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City handled the prosecution, securing a conviction and a sentence that sends a clear message: armed robbery won’t pay – it’ll land you in a federal penitentiary.

Evans’ actions demonstrate a callous disregard for the safety of bank employees and the public. While the restitution order offers a small measure of relief to Wells Fargo, it does little to address the trauma inflicted by a man willing to threaten lives for a quick score. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working in financial institutions and the dedication of law enforcement to bringing perpetrators to justice.