D.C. man charged in Jessup bank robbery

Great JOB Howard County Police Department!

NEWS RELEASE
HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
For release: Dec. 10, 2009 Contacts: Sherry Llewellyn, Elizabeth Schroen
410-313-2236
D.C. man charged in Jessup bank robbery
Howard County police have charged a D.C. man for an armed robbery of Bank of America in Jessup that occurred Wednesday.
Paul E. Frazier, 28, of 3997 Alabama Avenue in Washington, D.C., was charged Wednesday with armed robbery, robbery, first- and second-degree assault, using a handgun in the commission of a felony, a handgun violation, reckless endangerment, theft and fourth-degree burglary.

Police were called to the 7300 block of Assateague Drive by an employee at approximately 11:43 a.m. Wednesday for an armed robbery in progress. The suspect confronted a bank employee, displayed a gun and demanded cash. The employee complied, and the suspect went behind the counter and stole money. There were approximately 10 employees and customers in the bank at the time of the robbery. No one was injured.

The suspect fled on foot, followed by several customers and passersby, who began to chase after him. The suspect entered a green Range Rover parked nearby, turned into a parking lot near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Assateague Drive, exited the car and fled into a wooded area on foot as police pursued him.

Howard County officers, aided by Anne Arundel County Police and Maryland State Police, set up a perimeter and searched the area with the help of K9 and a police helicopter. Investigators believe the suspect then broke into a home on the 7300 block of Wye Avenue, where he was spotted by an occupant. The suspect fled into the back yard, where he was captured by police.

Police recovered a gun and stolen money in the wooded area.
Frazier is being held at Howard County Detention Center on $250,000 bond.