Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Two men were charged Monday with robbing a bank after allegedly telling police they were tired of being broke.
Maxwell John Cowan, 24, of Magna, and Daniel Patrick Riley Jr., 24, of Layton, each face robbery, a second-degree felony, and other charges.
U.S. Bank, 2243 E. 2100 South, was robbed on Feb. 27. Before entering the bank, a teller saw Cowan wearing a ski mask outside the door, so she pulled the silent alarm before he even entered, according to charging documents.
A woman who lives close to the bank also called police to report that a Chevy Aveo with two men had parked nearby and one of the men had gotten out and returned a few minutes later wearing a mask and carrying a bag, the charges state.
Based on those tips, Salt Lake police were able to spot the vehicle quickly.
An ensuing chase went through several cities and included a crash at 1300 South and Main Street where the fleeing vehicle ran a red light and T-boned another vehicle, the charges state. There were no serious injuries.
The Aveo continued to flee, and the chase ended when the men drove into a cul-de-sac at 3127 S. 3860 West, became blocked in, got out of the car and ran.
Riley was located in a backyard and was arrested. While police were looking for the other, a passerby yelled to officers, "Under the white car!" Cowan was found by police "hanging in the transmission area of the truck," the charges state.
When interviewed by the FBI, Riley said Cowan "wanted to make money in order to change his life, and was tired of being broke all the time," according to charging documents. Riley said Cowan gave him a small cut of the money for agreeing to drive, police say. He also said he "did not believe Cowan would go through with it and hoped Cowan would chicken out."
When investigators asked Cowan why he robbed the bank, he stated, "To make money, get a car and get a better job," the charges state. He had Riley enter the address of the bank into his phone because "Riley cannot find his way around," Cowan allegedly told detectives.
In addition to robbery, Riley is charged in 3rd District Court with failing to obey an officer's command to stop, a third-degree felony, drug possession and failing to stop at the command of a law enforcer, class A misdemeanors, and a traffic violation for getting into a crash, a class C misdemeanor.
In addition to robbery, Cowan is also charged with failing to stop at the command of an officer, a class A misdemeanor.
