Denver, Colorado – A Colorado man who once served a lengthy prison sentence for bank robbery and later chronicled his criminal past in a published book is facing new charges after authorities say he robbed another bank in Denver earlier this month. Investigators allege the suspect fled on foot after demanding cash from a teller, triggering a swift law-enforcement response.
Incident Overview
According to investigators, Charles Christopher Martinez, 48, an Arvada, Colorado resident, was arrested on January 8 in connection with a bank robbery that occurred days earlier in Denver. Police believe Martinez is responsible for the holdup of a U.S. Bank branch on Colorado Boulevard, marking a dramatic return to the same crime that once landed him behind bars for more than a decade.
Authorities say Martinez has a prior conviction for bank robbery in Colorado and had served approximately 15 years in prison before being released.
Timeline of Events
The robbery under investigation took place on January 5, when a man entered the bank during business hours and approached a teller. After allegedly demanding money, the suspect ran from the building before officers arrived.
Within hours, investigators began circulating surveillance images to the public in hopes of identifying the suspect. Law-enforcement officials later linked the robbery to Martinez, leading to his arrest three days after the incident.
Details From Police and Federal Authorities
Investigators reported that the suspect was wearing a bright orange jacket with the words “Tech Ops” printed on the back at the time of the robbery. Officers responding to the scene later recovered the jacket nearby, which authorities say became a key piece of evidence…