Possible Bank Robber Caught After Chase

Tuesday, May 29th 2007, 8:53 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A man who may be responsible for a series of bank robberies in Oklahoma City has been taken into custody in New Mexico, authorities said. Jan Michel Phillips was caught in Gallup, N.M., following a 20-mile police pursuit, FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said.

A McKinley County, N.M., sheriff's deputy saw a silver 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck with a New Mexico tag parked Monday afternoon at a travel center on Interstate 40, Johnson said.

The deputy determined the tag didn't belong to vehicle's owner, but the driver fled in the pickup before the officer could arrest him.

A pursuit ended 20 miles later in Gallup after the deputy forced the vehicle from the road, Johnson said. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Phillips, 25.

An arrest warrant was issued May 20 for Phillips, who has been charged with the May 7 robbery of Chase Bank on north May Avenue in Oklahoma City.

He also is suspected of robbing three Bank of the West branches in February, March and April.

Phillips will be extradited to Oklahoma where federal bank robbery charges await him, Johnson said.

Phillips also faces charges in New Mexico related to the vehicle pursuit.