Original Blog Entry: Bank robbery suspect caught trying to change his appearance

truesee — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:52:07 GMT

Suspect who tried to change appearance nabbed with shaving cream on his ear

Christelle Hobby - Apr. 3, 2009 03:02 PM

The Arizona Republic

A Mesa bank robbery suspect who tried to change his appearance was arrested after police noticed he'd missed a number of spots while shaving and still had shaving cream on his ear when officers confronted him, police said Friday.

When police searched the home of Apris Sifo, 30, they not only found a bank bag stuffed with money taken in the robbery of a Wells Fargo bank branch, but also 26 pounds of marijuana.

Police said a man matching Sifo's description entered a Bashas' supermarket at Power and McDowell roads Thursday afternoon, approached the Wells Fargo counter and presented the bank teller with a note stating that he had a gun and wanted money.

The teller gave the man money from her cash drawer, which he stuffed into a blue bank bag.

According to police, the thief fled on foot, but was seen by a witness entering a nearby home.

When Mesa police confronted Sifo, he had changed his clothes and appeared to have hastily tried to shave.

When police searched the home, they found a blue bag containing the money as well as three notes with I want your money written on them.

An estimated 26 pounds of marijuana was also found inside the suspect's bedroom, police said.

According to police reports, Sifo confessed that he intended to use the money and sell the marijuana in order to support his methamphetamine addiction.

When asked why he gave the note to the teller, Sifo told police, I've seen it on TV.

No weapon was found. Sifo is being charged with armed robbery and possession of marijuana for sale, police said.

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