Connecticut State Police Patch STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Department of Public Safety
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
 
Contact: 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

05/15/07

STATE POLICE CONTINUE BANK ROBBERY INVESTIGATIONS

      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 also including.  Officers and Detectives from area local police departments, Agents from the FBI and a 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 from the Eastern District Major Crime Unit 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 was taken into custody and charged with Operating under Suspension.

The passengers in the car fled on foot from Police. Due to the fact the suspect was considered armed area schools, (Flanders School and East Lyme High) were locked down.

An extensive search with the assistance from the Aviation Unit, Trooper 1, 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.

The bank robbery task force is continuing their investigations.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance