Man Accused In Downtown Johnson Bank Robbery Has Been Charged

RACINE, WI — The man accused of robbing the Johnson Bank in Downtown Racine has been arrested and charged, authorities say.

Authorities say 27-year-old Jaquan L. Smith, of Indianapolis, went to the Johnson Bank at 555 Main Street in Downtown Racine in June 2018, under the guise of wanting a check cashed.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Racine County, Smith handed the bank teller a note that read, "This is a robbery, no die packs, no tracers, no bait money. I want $5,000, or I will kill people."

Authorities said the teller handed Smith $3,953 from her drawer, and Smith fled.

Several days after the robbery, police say they received an anonymous tip that Smith was the person who robbed the bank. Authorities said they received a second tip from an inmate in the Racine County Jail who said he grew up with Smith and knew of his recent actions.

Authorities say Smith was arrested in July 2018 in Indiana for a robbery. Police say they learned that Smith committed six other bank robberies. In all the other robberies, a note was passed to the teller that had similar language to the one that was handed to the teller at the Downtown Racine Johnson Bank, police said.

According to the criminal complaint, police searched Smith's cell phone records, showing that he was in the Johnson Bank area on the day of the robbery, linking him to the crime.

Police say Smith denied committing the Johnson Bank robbery, though police say they confirmed Smith's status as a suspect after showing the bank teller a photo array that included a photo of Smith.