FBI agents say a veteran Atlanta police officer has confessed to holding up three banks over the last two months.
An affidavit by two FBI special agents includes a statement from Officer Stanley Street in which he says he robbed the banks at gunpoint because he needed money to pay employees at Atlanta’s Finest Security Co.
Street, an Atlanta police officer for 17 years, made an initial appearance in federal court Wednesday on three charges each of armed robbery and illegal use of firearms.
The FBI says Street acknowledges using a 9 mm gun in three robberies in which he stole nearly $90,000 from Wachovia bank locations in the Atlanta area. Street was arrested Tuesday evening after a bank customer chased Street’s car from that morning’s robbery and reported the license number to police.
“I told the tellers to ’give me what you got and I’ll be gone.’ I also told them not to give me a dye pack,” Street says in the FBI affidavit, written by special agents Chad Fitzgerald and Cynthia Myers and released by federal prosecutors.
A judge ordered Street, 44, to be held without bond until another hearing Friday.
Street’s attorney, Page Pate, questioned the validity of the FBI’s report and said his client will plead not guilty.
“I have a lot of questions about that alleged statement. It’s common with federal agents never to record a statement,” Pate said. “This man has given 17 years to the city and is dedicated in his service to the community.”
Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. John Quigley said officers have been disheartened by the news one of their own may have committed the crimes.
“It’s frustrating. So many officers make every effort to do the right thing, and like any organization, the vast majority of people are very good,” Quigley said. “It tarnishes our badge and takes away the trust and confidence of the public.”