Bank Robbery Suspect Arrest

On Thursday, February 25, 2010 at approximately 11:30 am, the man responsible for a series of bank robberies in Frederick between February 1 and February 9, 2010 was arrested in Charlestown, West Virginia. Detective Kevin Forrest obtained an arrest warrant for Joseph James Hopkins, age 27, of Frederick on Wednesday evening. The charging document for Hopkins contained charges of three counts of robbery, two counts of theft $1,000 to under $10,000, attempted theft less than $1,000, attempted theft $1,000 to under $10,000, and second degree assault.

On Thursday morning, detectives with the Frederick Police Department were able to track the suspect to a hotel in Charlestown. Local police authorities were provided with the suspect’s information and he was located and taken into custody without incident. Frederick Police detectives are currently in West Virginia working to gather additional information.

The case broke on Wednesday morning, when lab results indicated a fingerprint lifted from the scene at one of the banks came back to Hopkins. Additional information was obtained from an anonymous caller, who said they believed the man in the bank surveillance photographs appeared to be Hopkins. Compiling all the evidence obtained during the investigations, Det. Forrest obtained the arrest warrant.

Hopkins is believed to be the same man who robbed the Bank of Romney in Capon Bridge, WV on Monday, February 22nd, the PNC Bank in Chester, MD on Friday, February 19th, and the PNC Bank in Littlestown, PA on Wednesday, February 17th. Detectives have been in contact with these agencies and are working together on the respective cases.

Hopkins is currently in custody at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, while additional investigation takes place.