`Trench Coat Robber' Convicted In Bank Heists

TACOMA - Ray Lewis Bowman, accused of being one of the "Trench Coat Robbers," was convicted in federal court yesterday of what is believed to be the largest bank robbery in U.S. history.

Bowman, 50, of Parkville, Mo., was convicted of bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime and transporting stolen property. He could be sent to prison for 30 years when he is sentenced Feb. 12, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Arlen Storm, who prosecuted the case.

Jurors in the trial before U.S. District Judge Frank Burgess deliberated just 3 1/2 hours before returning the convictions.

The trial focused on the Feb. 10, 1997, robbery of nearly $4.5 million - about 335 pounds of cash - from the Seafirst bank branch in Lakewood, Pierce County.

As part of the conspiracy count, Bowman was accused of committing four bank robberies in addition to the Lakewood heist over 10 years.

The government claims that from 1982 to 1997, Bowman and William Arthur Kirkpatrick, 58, of Hovland, Minn., stole more than $8 million in 28 bank robberies.

In most of the jobs, the robbers wore disguises, including trench coats. Authorities said the pair slipped into banks, surprised employees and quickly made off with cash. The two rarely left behind fingerprints or other evidence.

Although the Trench Coat Robbers were among the most successful bank robbers in the country, authorities had no idea of their identities until last year. Small acts of carelessness - waving cash around, falling behind on a storage bill, speeding - ultimately led to the two arrests.