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SOUTH SALT LAKE — A man with a lengthy criminal history who was out of jail awaiting sentencing on several felony convictions, was arrested Monday in connection with a series of recent bank robberies.
Caprice Tyrone Martin, 28, showed up for court the day after allegedly robbing a bank. He was then booked into jail on a warrant, but after posting bail, he allegedly robbed another bank, according to court records.
Investigators believe Martin is responsible for three bank robberies in July — all on Thursdays — July 11 at Zions Bank, 910 W. 2100 South; July 18 at U.S. Bank, 2714 S. 300 West; and July 25 at Zions Bank, 3880 S. 700 East. In each case, the robber wore a Halloween mask and a knit cap and he used a handgun in at least two of the robberies, according to police.
Based on several tips, South Salt Lake police and the Unified Police Department's SWAT team went to Martin's apartment, 3970 S. 700 West, about 3 a.m. Monday to serve a search warrant. As they were setting up, South Salt Lake police officer Gary Keller said Martin just happened to walk out and was taken into custody without incident.
Inside the apartment, officers found a mask and marijuana. Martin was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of three counts of aggravated assault and one count of drug possession with intent to distribute.
Martin has a lengthy criminal history, including several felony cases filed this year, according to Utah state court records. In February, he was charged with a total of three second-degree felony burglary counts in two separate cases, eventually pleading guilty in May to all of them in exchange for felony theft charges being dismissed.
In those cases, Martin was found guilty of stealing video game systems, cellphones and a laptop, according to charging documents. When detectives arrested him at that time, they found Martin in possession of a black mask with a blue skull imprint, according to court records.
On July 11, prosecutors believe Martin robbed Zions Bank. On July 12, he was scheduled to be sentenced on two of his earlier cases but showed up for court late, according to court records. By the time he arrived, a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest and he was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and his sentencing was rescheduled.
On July 15, Martin posted bail. Three days later, prosecutors say he robbed a U.S. Bank and then robbed a Zions Bank on July 25. The sentencing on his other cases was rescheduled to Aug. 19.
