STATE POLICE MAKE ARRESTS IN BANK ROBBERIES

   During the months of March and April 2007, there have been four (4) bank robberies in the Troop E, Troop K and Troop F area. In each bank robbery, the perpetrator appeared to have been the same subject. There were several similar factors in each of these robberies. In addition, the physical descriptions, other information and evidence were similar.

  State Police Detectives compiled evidence and information on each robbery to  attempt to identify the perpetrator(s) in these robberies. A Task Force consisting of State Police Detectives and State Troopers from Eastern and Central District, Officers and Detectives from area police departments, agents from the FBI and members of the Connecticut Intelligence Center. As part of the investigative efforts, surveillances of banking institutions in the Eastern and Central Districts were conducted.

   On May 15, 2007 the State Police Task Force was conducting surveillance operations.   State Police Detectives observed two subjects acting in a suspicious manner in East Lyme. State Police stopped the suspect vehicle and were able to apprehend the driver of the vehicle in East Lyme. The driver was identified as Kevin SMITH, DOB: 1/31/84, of Old Lyme, who was taken into custody and charged with Operating under Suspension. The passengers in the car fled on foot from police. Due to the fact that the suspect was considered armed, area schools, (Flanders School and East Lyme High) were locked down. An extensive search with assistance from the Aviation Unit, Trooper 1, the Emergency Services Canine Unit and all personnel took place to locate the second subject who was identified as Kenneth Buckingham, DOB: 1/11/63, from Old Lyme. Buckingham was located and was charged with burglary on a warrant from Troop F.  Each of these subjects is currently in State Police custody; they will be formally processed and held on bond to appear in Superior court to answer the charge.

                                                     UPDATE

   Further investigation was conducted by State Police Detectives into the bank robberies, which resulted in State Police charging Kenneth Buckingham with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1^st, Criminal Attempt to Commit Robbery 1^st and Criminal Use of a Firearm. He was held on $1,000,000 cash bond for arraignment in GA 10  New London, CT. Detectives also charged Kevin Smith with  Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1^st and Criminal Attempt to Robbery 1^st. He was held on $500,000 cash bond for arraignment in GA 10 New London, CT. State Police are continuing these investigation and more arrests are expected.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance