Cheyenne Man Accused of Robbing 2 Banks, Hitting Cop With Hammer

A man is behind bars after Cheyenne police say he robbed two financial institutions, stole a vehicle, attempted to burglarize a woman, and assaulted a K-9 handler.

According to Public Information Officer Alex Farkas, it all started around 3 p.m. Thursday, after officers were dispatched to a report of a robbery at the Jonah Bank of Wyoming at 205 Storey Blvd.

Get our free mobile app

"According to statements, an adult male suspect, later identified as Eric Smith, 34, of Cheyenne, entered the bank, threatened employees, and demanded cash," Farkas said in a news release.

"He took an undisclosed amount of cash from the location and then fled on foot," she added.

Farkas says officers quickly arrived and began to establish a perimeter, and while on scene, dispatch relayed a report of a stolen vehicle in the 300 block of Arbor Lane.

She says minutes later, officers learned that a second robbery was in progress at the Western Vista Federal Credit Union at 3207 Sparks Rd.

She says Smith apparently used the stolen vehicle to drive to the credit union and used the same tactics to rob it.

"At 3:57 p.m. it was reported that a man matching Smith’s description attempted to burglarize a woman at a residence near the 2200 block of Meadow Drive," said Farkas. "He then fled toward Taft Avenue."

"Officers found Smith walking along the sidewalk of Taft Avenue and commanded him to stop," she added. "Smith ignored commands and threw a hammer, striking Officer Ben Vapenik."

Farkas says Vapenik's K-9 partner, Maverick, was able to apprehend Smith, and he was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, where he was cleared for jail, and booked into the Laramie County Detention Center on three counts of aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft, and aggravated assault on a police officer.

RELATED: UPDATE: Man Suspected of Robbing 2 Cheyenne Banks Now in Custody

She says Vapenik suffered minor injuries.

"The Cheyenne Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are working together on the ongoing investigation," she said.