Wheat Ridge Police Department and FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force Arrest Accused Bank Robber Known as the “JV Bandit”

Trent Hix, age 38, of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was arrested late yesterday by officers from the Wheat Ridge Police Department and agents and task force officers from the FBI’s Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. Hix made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver this afternoon, where he was advised of the charges pending against him. He is due back in court on January 24, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., for a detention hearing and preliminary hearing. Hix will remain in federal custody, being held without bond, pending a resolution of the detention hearing.

According to the Criminal Complaint, on the afternoon of July 13, 2010, someone robbed the First Bank located at 4350 North Wadsworth Boulevard in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The robber gave the teller a note demanding cash. He then quickly exited the building. The same robber was also believed to have been involved in numerous other Metro Denver bank robberies.

Wheat Ridge Police Officers and agents and task force officers from the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force recently circulated flyers throughout the Wheat Ridge community with the picture of the July 13, 2010 bank robber, calling him the “JV Bandit” because of the type of jacket the target wore during the robberies.

On January 18, 2011, Wheat Ridge Police and FBI Task Force officers received a call that the “JV Bandit” had entered the same First Bank located at 4350 North Wadsworth Boulevard, in Wheat Ridge. The same teller who was robbed on July 13, 2010, recognized the target from the previous bank robbery and from the law enforcement flyers. She went to the teller station the target was headed towards, activated the robbery alarm, and then greeted him. Just as he was greeted the bandit took a cell phone call, leaving the lobby of the bank. Thanks to a thorough description given by bank personnel to the police department, Wheat Ridge Police Officers were able to stop the suspect within blocks of the bank, who turned out to be Trent Hix. Further investigation revealed that Hix was responsible for the July 13, 2010 bank robbery, and that he would type his demand notes on his computer.

Hix is currently charged with one count of bank robbery. If convicted, he faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution. Agents and officers continue to investigate whether Hix was responsible for other area bank robberies.

This case was investigated by the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, with substantial support from the Wheat Ridge Police Department.

Hix is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Mydans.

A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a felony violation of federal law has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

The charges contained in the Complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.