Samuel Richard Ruthstrom, also known as “the penguin bandit” due to his distinctive walk, has been sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing four banks in Denver and attempting to rob a fifth. Ruthstrom, a 42-year-old Denver man, used handwritten notes threatening violence to demand cash from bank tellers during the robberies. Despite being on parole and living in an inpatient facility at the time, Ruthstrom stole a box truck to commit three of the robberies.
The FBI, along with partner agencies, tracked down Ruthstrom and arrested him in February. FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek emphasized that robbing banks is not a career but a series of crimes that will result in serious federal prison time.
Ruthstrom’s bank robberies included incidents at Zing Credit Union, Canvas Credit Union on South University Boulevard, and Canvas Credit Union on North Colorado Boulevard. Investigative teams gave him the moniker “the penguin bandit” because of his peculiar walk described as a waddle.
This case serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies like the FBI will continue to work with partners to apprehend violent criminals. Ruthstrom’s sentencing highlights the consequences of engaging in this type of criminal behavior and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of the community.
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