Suspect in Vancouver bank robbery in court

A transient man suspected of robbing a Chase Bank branch in downtown Vancouver was in court Monday during which time he acted erratically — shouting at his attorney and asking the judge how much jail time he is going to get.

Robert Barrie Bemis, 24, made a first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree robbery in connection with the Friday incident. Bemis was arrested shortly after the alleged robbery, just a few blocks away from the bank.

During his hearing, he asked Judge Derek Vanderwood if he needs an attorney and what his options are.

“Send me away, dude. I’m ready to go,” Bemis said.

Vanderwood appointed Vancouver attorney Shon Bogar to represent Bemis. They stepped back to the inmate holding area to talk before proceeding. Bemis could be heard shouting at Bogar, and continued his angry rant when they returned before the court.

“Really, you want to send me to the hospital right away … for an evaluation?” Bemis yelled.

Bogar said he would like Bemis to return to court later this week to discuss concerns over his mental health.

Bemis will be back in court Friday. In the meantime, he is being held at the Clark County Jail on $75,000 bail.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the robber entered the bank branch at 1205 Broadway at about 1:40 p.m. He covered his head with a hooded sweatshirt and his face with a “makeshift mask.”

The robber implied he had a weapon and demanded money from a teller. He received an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving on foot, the affidavit states.

Police later located him near the corner of East 13th and C streets. They reportedly found numerous $100 bills in the left leg of his pants, court records said.