A man suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo branch inside the Safeway at 6701 E. Mill Plain Blvd. was arrested early Friday at a Motel 6 in Clackamas, Ore.
On May 6, Joseph Franklin Pierce, 62, allegedly entered the bank, carrying a bag. The suspect gave the teller a note, displayed a silver hand gun and fled the store after getting money from the till. Vancouver police officers were not able to find him. Two days later, Clark County Superior Court issued a warrant for his arrest on a charge of first-degree robbery, according to court documents.
The U.S. Marshal Oregon Fugitive Task Force talked with his family members and looked for him throughout the day on Friday, said Eric Wahlstrom, U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force spokesman. They found a 1998 dark green Mustang convertible, associated with Pierce, at Motel 6, 12855 S.E. 97th Ave. Hotel surveillance video confirmed that Pierce had walked inside and checked into Room 228.
Although officers gave Pierce the option to come outside the room, he didn’t comply. Around 1:30 a.m. officers forced entry into the room and took him into custody without incident, Wahlstrom said. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail. Wahlstrom said Pierce is suspected in other bank robberies in Multnomah County.
His last known address was in Troutdale, Ore., according to court documents.
