‘Tour de Banks’ robber pleads not guilty
Oct 29, 2012, 3:18 PM | Updated: 5:04 pm
Cristian C. Babalai, 29, is accused of robbing eight banks in Bothell, Monroe, Woodinville, Arlington, and Mill Creek over a four month period.
A Bothell man dubbed the “Tour de Banks” robber pleaded not guilty to eight counts of first-degree armed robbery Monday, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
Cristian C. Babalai, 29, is accused of robbing eight banks in Bothell, Monroe, Woodinville, Arlington, and Mill Creek over a four month period.
Prosecutors say he used a bicycle to case the banks and to flee the scene after each robbery, hence his nickname.
According to charging documents, Babalai netted tens of thousands of dollars during the heists to fuel a gambling addiction.
In some instances, prosecutors say he threatened to shoot bank tellers if they did not hand the cash over quickly.
He is being held on $2 million bail.
