Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Robert Buckley Hardy was arrested for investigation of robbery and making threats.
- Hardy allegedly demanded $2,001 at a Chase Bank in Millcreek.
- Police identified Hardy through surveillance video, arresting him in Brighton without incident.
MILLCREEK — An alleged bank robber arrested in the town of Brighton on Friday also allegedly made threats against the president of the United States, according to police.
Robert Buckley Hardy, 47, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of robbery and making a terroristic threat and was charged in federal court on Friday with bank robbery.
On Thursday, Unified police responded to Chase Bank, 2855 E. 3300 South, on a report of a robbery.
"Witnesses reported that a white male with a long beard left notes and demanded $2,001," a police booking affidavit states. "The suspect left three manila envelopes labeled to the news, the FBI and UPD. The suspect also left a note on a piece of paper that was typed out. Part of the note given to the teller asks that $2,001 be placed in his bag."
Federal charges say the note said, "Poor people steal because they are hungry. Rich people steal because they are greedy ... I need this evidence chain in the hands of the FBI bank robbery division and the local and federal police ... Please stuff at least $2,001 into the bag for me. And make certain the FBI gets this."
After reviewing surveillance video, police determined the same man had entered Chase Bank, 7045 S. 1300 East, on Jan. 30 and "delivered another manila envelope with a manifesto. The male left the envelope and left the bank without robbing it. This manifesto has many pages, but one alarming statement that stood out was the following: 'So assume this is an active bomb threat on both the executive management of this bank and the president of the United States. I've had three years to prepare it,'" according to the affidavit.
Charges filed in federal court further state "The documents which were handed to the tellers talked about several United States and government dealings regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and corruption. ... Specifically, one document in the package read "I need $2,001 for it to be considered a felony and get the un-compromised FBI bank robbery division to respond."
Detectives used the surveillance video to identify the man as Hardy. On Friday, the Unified police SWAT team, along with FBI agents, went to a residence in Brighton and took Hardy into custody without incident.
After being arrested, Hardy allegedly told investigators "he did what he did to get his message out to the public. Hardy admitted to dropping off the packages at the banks and leaving enough information for law enforcement to identify him. Hardy stated that he asked for the specific dollar amount of $2,001, because of the effect Sept. 11, 2001, had on him. He further stated that he did not want to cause anyone any harm," charging documents state.
