Serial Bank Robber Caught, Police Say

Police have charged Philadelphia resident Tarik Hooks, 35, with multiple counts of bank robbery after they say he robbed nine banks in three weeks in the Philadelphia area.

Starting on Feb. 2, police say Hooks robbed the Citizens Bank inside the Acme on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd and then several more banks from Roxborough to Landsdowne.

A couple of weeks later on Feb. 14, Hooks robbed the Sovereign Bank branch in the GSB Building at City and Belmont avenues, police said. Hooks had handed over a note to the teller at both Bala Cynwyd incidents and demanded money, accoridng to police.

Following an investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia Division, Hooks was arrested on Feb. 22 by Philadelphia police officers. 

In addition to the two Bala Cynwyd bank robberies, Hooks faces charges for seven other incidents, including two bank robberies in Roxborough just days apart, a TD Bank in Haverford, a Citizens Bank in Clifton Heights twice, a Wells Fargo Bank in Landsdowne, and a TD Bank in Drexel Hill.

Hooks was scheduled to make an initial appearance before a magistrate judge Thursday afternoon. 

Hooks’ arrest follows an investigation by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with the Philadelphia, Aldan, Lansdowne, and Lower Merion Police Departments, and other area law enforcement partners.