Ezekiel Thomas, an Anchorage resident, was sentenced on Apr. 24 to seven years in prison for robbing two banks within a span of 24 hours last year.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces with repeat offenders and the importance of cooperation between agencies in Alaska.
According to court documents, Thomas, age 38, had been released on bail on Sept. 16, 2025, in several pending state cases that included a previous bank robbery charge from Bethel. On Sept. 18, he entered a bank in Anchorage and handed a demand note to an employee threatening harm if money was not provided. The employee gave him $590 before he left the premises.
The following day, the Palmer Police Department reported another bank robbery involving Thomas at a local branch in Palmer. After presenting another intimidating note and receiving about $2,270 from an employee, Thomas was detained by Palmer law enforcement officers who identified him as the same suspect from the earlier Anchorage incident.
“Mr. Thomas is a career criminal that chose to brazenly rob two banks while out on state bail over a span of 24-hours,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Thank you to Palmer Police Department for their swift response that resulted in Mr. Thomas’ arrest, and to the FBI for their diligent investigation that brought this reoffender to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office said: “Spanning multiple communities in Alaska, Mr. Thomas carried out these bank robberies while he was already on state probation for a prior bank robbery conviction. His crimes demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of others...this sentence reflects our shared commitment to public safety and holding repeat offenders like Mr. Thomas accountable.”
The investigation involved cooperation among several agencies including the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Palmer Police Department and Anchorage Police Department.
