Suspect In 30 Bank Robberies In 4 States Surrenders

A man suspected in more than 30 bank robberies in four states, including several in Western Washington, has turned himself in to Bellevue police.

Michael Andrew Frizzell, 28, surrendered at 6:43 last night, according to Bellevue Police Capt. Dan Hansen.

Frizzell was secretly charged in federal court last January with two counts of bank robbery. The complaint also identifies 12 robberies he's suspected of committing between Oct. 7, 1991, and Dec. 24, 1992. The FBI declined to say how much money was taken in all.

An FBI agent said Frizzell is suspected in more than 30 bank robberies in Arizona, California, Florida and Washington. The FBI speculated that he turned himself in because he saw himself on TV and knew he was wanted.

After Frizzell's wife reported him missing, police searched her home in North Seattle's Crown Hill area and found documents indicating Frizzell might be involved in bank robberies, the complaint said.

In January, when an FBI agent showed Frizzell's wife surveillance photographs of a man suspected in five bank robberies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, she identified the man as her husband, the complaint said.

Frizzell is charged with the Feb. 6, 1992, robbery of the Laurelhurst branch of University Savings Bank when $1,320 was taken.

He is also charged with the Feb. 12, 1992, robbery of the North Creek branch of City Bank in Bothell, when $45,000 was taken.