FBI, Summit SWAT nab suspected bank robber in Blue River

‘Mr. Magoo’ fingered in 24 Front Range bank heists By Reid WilliamsSummit County CorrespondentBLUE RIVER – Federal agents and local police apprehended a man believed to be the “Mr. Magoo” bank robber suspected in two dozen Front Range bank robberies in an early Saturday morning raid on a Blue River cabin.Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Summit County SWAT team surrounded the cabin at 0321 Quandary Road (County Road 626) at about 4 a.m. After a short search for the cabin’s occupant who had attempted to conceal himself inside, according to Summit County Undersheriff Derek Woodman, the joint operation arrested Tyler Timothy Hamilton.Hamilton, 43, of Littleton, was wanted on a federal arrest warrant for bank robbery and a felony larceny arrest warrant from the Denver Police Department. He is suspected in a spree of robberies on the Front Range since December, including at least 24 bank robberies and four other armed robberies.”We still consider him a suspect until conviction, but if it was him, he was rather prolific,” said FBI Special Agent Dot Wehrly.The suspect in the bank robberies was dubbed “Mr. Magoo” because of the thick glasses he wore during the heists.According to Woodman, an informant tipped off FBI agents that Hamilton might be in hiding in the Breckenridge area, at a cabin owned by his parents. Woodman said the sheriff’s office investigated the lead and determined that Hamilton’s parents did, in fact, own a cabin in Blue River.Beginning at about 3 p.m. Friday, Woodman said, the sheriff’s office began investigating and determined that a vehicle matching the description and license plate associated with Hamilton was on the premises. The law enforcement agencies obtained search warrants for Hamilton and his vehicle and served them in the pre-dawn operation.”I would say he was a little surprised to see us,” Woodman said.Woodman said Hamilton was taken into custody without a struggle. No stashes of cash were found, but Woodman noted that authorities’ search warrants did not include the house and only a few items found in plain sight were taken as evidence.Aside from one Quandary Road resident who called the Summit Daily News to report the chaotic morning scene, neighbors along the road contacted Saturday said they were unaware of the disturbance down the street and had no idea who Hamilton was. According to a press release issued by the FBI, the federal penalty for bank robbery can be up to 25 years in prison. An investigation into more possible charges against Hamilton will continue, the press release said. Wehrly also said the assistance of Summit County’s law enforcement agencies was crucial in apprehending Hamilton.A phone message left with Hamilton’s parents in Denver Saturday was not returned.Reid Williams can be reached at 970-668-3998, ext. 237 or rwilliams@summitdaily.com.Vail, Colorado