UPDATE: Waterloo Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

A Waterloo man has been arrested on charges connected to robberies at a local bank and convenience store.

Lucas Thompson, 34, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Friday (Oct 27, 2018). Authorities said his vehicle matched the description of one involved in a robbery this week at Great Western Bank, 2936 University Ave.

Police said they developed a description of the suspect vehicle during the investigation. The probe also led police and the FBI to serve search warrants at residences in Waterloo.

Employees told police a man entered the bank around 12:30 PM on Thursday and said he had a weapon, then demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash, although reportedly never showed a weapon. The suspect had his face covered and was wearing jeans with a dark, hooded sweatshirt.

Thompson was booked into the Black Hawk County jail on a charge of second-degree robbery for the hold-up at Great Western Bank. They also charged him with first-degree robbery for an Oct. 20 hold-up at Metro Mart, 2332 Falls Ave.

Police said while investigating the bank robbery, authorities recovered evidence that connected Thompson to the earlier robbery. In that incident, a man with his face covered entered the Waterloo convenience store around 9:40 PM carrying a handgun. He told the clerk to open the register. When a customer entered, he had the customer get on the floor and then rode off on a bicycle with an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to police, both robberies remain under investigation. Because of the on-going probe, they have not yet released a photo of Thompson.