FBI arrests one bank-robbery suspect, seeks another

Updated: April 30, 2008 - 12:30 AM

Feds arrest one suspect, seek another in recent bank robberies.

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FBI officials have arrested one metro-area bank-robbery suspect and are seeking the public's help in finding another suspect from an unrelated robbery committed this week.

Steven Walter Smialek, 50, of Fridley, was arrested Monday in Coon Rapids and has been charged in the Friday robbery of the TCF Bank at 5205 Central Av. NE in Fridley. FBI officials said they nabbed Smialek in part because of tips by people who recognized him after his photo was aired on local media.

Smialek made an initial appearance in federal court Tuesday and remains in custody.

In the other instance, an unidentified man made off with an undisclosed amount of cash Monday after robbing the Western Bank at 1155 Hadley Av. N. in Oakdale, the FBI said. The man entered the bank at 4:15 p.m. and gave the teller a threatening note demanding cash.

The robber is described as a medium-dark black man in his 20s, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7, 160 to 180 pounds with a medium build. He may have a tattoo on the right side of his neck. He was wearing a black knit stocking hat, black crew neck shirt, light gray jacket with a red-lined hood and an emblem on the back, and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Minneapolis FBI at 612-376-3200, the Oakdale Police Department or Crime Stoppers. A reward has been offered.

ABBY SIMONS