Tracking device guides authorites to bank robbing suspectBy Glenn Smith (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tirico Charleston police apprehended a suspect in the Friday morning robbery of a Bank of America branch after a tracking device helped lead them to a man in the Ladson area. Bank workers told police a man around 60 years old walked into the branch at 281 Calhoun St. and handed a teller a note demanding cash around 9:49 a.m., public information officer Charles Francis said. No weapon was seen, he said. The man fled with an undisclosed amount of money, but he didn't know police had an edge in the hunt that followed. Dispatchers told officers over the police radio that bank workers had somehow inserted an electronic tracking device in the loot. The device allowed dispatchers to follow the robber's progress and relay his position to officers as he fled along Interstate 26. Fortunately for police, his flight was reportedly delayed at points by a crash near Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston that snarled traffic in the area. Police stopped the car along College Park Road and arrested the suspect a short time later, Francis said. Francis declined to discuss the tracking device. He said Mark Tirico, 47, of Summerville, is charged with entering a bank with intent to steal. Tirico remained at the Charleston County Detention Center Friday night, awaiting a bond hearing. Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
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Posted by woody00438 on November 22, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the first line should have read: North Charleston Police officers capture Charleston bank robbery suspect after great team work.
None the less, great work by all who were involved in the search for the bank robber.
Posted by ColdBud on November 22, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So this is what happens with a meth head dirt bag thinks he's smart even to rob a bank?
Posted by Neponset on November 22, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don’t think that the tracking device should have been mentioned in the article. All this does is educate the robbers and they will now look for the tracking devices and pitch them out the window during the getaway.
Posted by Confuzzled on November 22, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The bank workers told police the robbery suspect looked to be in his 60's .... when in fact, the article gives his age as 47 ... LOL.
In regards to the electronic tracking device, I would be willing to bet it was so small - and possibly attached to a dollar bill or something. Who knows...interesting concept nonetheless.
Posted by B_Fwank on November 22, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good ole crashes on Ashley Phosphate Road!
Posted by 1963 on November 22, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A tracking device in the loot. Wonder if they keep this near in case of a robbery where the teller just picks up a wad of cash with the device hidden in the middle. Throws a big wad of cash in the bag and the crook grins thinking, wow I'm gonna get a lot of cash here.
Posted by Hwebster on November 22, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Less messy than a dye-pack.
Posted by Hbaker on November 22, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you on this one,Neponset,you'd think they would keep this type of gadget on the quiet side.This technology could be used with numerous valuables.Already available for autos. Insurance companies should love these things,and hopefully,could affect insurance premiums,if they don't already.Oh yea,good goin' bank employees,and law enforcement personnel.Not even Ashley Phosphate road could help this guy!
Posted by johnnyholmes on November 22, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
South Carolina has divulged their plans how they plan to beat Clemson. They have failed to realize Clemson may use this info. to turn the tables on them. On a related note: Police have disclosed a tracking device has been used to track down a Keith Richards lookalike bank robber and make an arrest. The po po are keeping important details close to the vest.
Posted by a_set_love on November 22, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by woody00438 on November 22, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the first line should have read: North Charleston Police officers capture Charleston bank robbery suspect after great team work.
None the less, great work by all who were involved in the search for the bank robber.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What are you saying woody?
Posted by wise1 on November 22, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By this photo he just not like a 60 Y.O. man to me.
Posted by grannyofseven_2 on November 22, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CB by this picture you know he is a meth head. hmmm ok could be but you never know.
Posted by outrage on November 22, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this guy has been in the Detention center before. I believe he was there for bank robbery in 2000. If I am right, I wonder why he is out so soon.
Posted by ColdBud on November 22, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
grannyofseven_2, I made that statement based on most of the crime we have up here in Ladson being meth related. I was pointing out the jump from meth related crimes to bank robbery. Quite honestly, he looks like he has a meth problem too.
Posted by fasteddie2008 on November 22, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wasn't this guy in an episode of the Sopronos?
Posted by SummervilleResident on November 22, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, robbed a bank in 1999 near Walmart in Summerville. That time he wore a paint store t-shirt and they ID'd him from that. Smart dude...lol
Posted by ftworld on November 22, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that is my dad you guys are talking about he is not a he is not a bad guy. he just wasnt thinking when he did it he has no problums that you guys are saying he just has med problums.so you guys need to chill the hell out.
Posted by LowCountryCrime on November 22, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What Woody was saying is that Charleston P.D. has a no chase policy. NCPD pursued and arrested the suspected.
Posted by Pluffmuddy on November 22, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ftworld,
Judging from your level of literary proficiency, I'd say YOU are one of those problems...
Posted by CNN_10 on November 22, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That guy look like Eugene off of the The Sopranos. the guy who committed suicide in season 4 or 5
Posted by exorcist_pencocky4u on November 22, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by LowCountryCrime on November 22, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What Woody was saying is that Charleston P.D. has a no chase policy. NCPD pursued and arrested the suspected.
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Wow, the way the story was written by the P/C I had visions of 15 CPD cars in hot pursuit, guns drawn at the ready, knocking people off the highway as they closed in for the capture.
You know, like the "Keystone Cops".
Posted by Longboarder on November 25, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know a little about Mark. He does have major health issues, BUT that's no excuse for his actions. I believe "Summervilleresident” is correct, I think it's happened before.
I wonder how he expected to get away. He moves about as fast as my 70-year-old mother. That's probably why the teller thought he was in his 60's.
This ranks high up on his Dumba** list.