Crime & Safety

Sugar Land Bank Robber Admits to Cross Country Crime Spree

A man who robbed a Sugar Land bank admitted to robbing banks in four other states.

HOUSTON, TX — Since the launch of the FBI's National Crime Information Center in 1967 true nationwide crime sprees have become few and far between.

Then again, Charles Wood wasn't going to let a little thing like a national clearinghouse of law enforcement data stop him from reliving the glory days of bank robbery.

Wood, 50, hails from Farmersville, LA, and on Sept. 14, 2015, he walked into a BBVA Compass Bank in Sugar Land and showed a gun to a teller.

Find out what's happening in Sugar Landfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


Want more Sugar Land and Fort Bend County news? Click here for our free daily newsletter and breaking news


At the time, the teller had no way of knowing that it was just a BB gun. Wood told the teller to hand over money — in mixed bills — the teller complied, but only after hitting the silent alarm button. Five-oh rolled up almost as soon as Wood was out of the bank.

Find out what's happening in Sugar Landfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Wood tried to lose the cops, but he didn't quite. He went down for the robbery. While Wood was in custody one of the bright boys and girls at 1 Justice Park Dr. decided to see if Wood matched the description of any other bank robbery suspects.

Lo and behold, Wood was a perfect match for a spate of robberies throughout the country. When Wood entered a guilty plea in federal court he confessed to robbing banks in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas and Utah.

Wood's case is set for sentencing on Nov. 3, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He'll be in custody until the hearing.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Sugar Land