Bank robbery suspect behind bars

A South Lake Tahoe bank robbery suspect who allegedly robbed El Dorado Savings branches in South Lake Tahoe four times was arrested Tuesday.

Russell Garrett Waggoner, 39, was taken into custody without incident at 1:15 a.m. after Nevada Gaming Control Board officers discovered he was registered at John Ascuaga's Nugget.

Waggoner allegedly robbed three El Dorado Savings branches four times between June 25 and Sept. 17. South Lake Tahoe Police Department officers reportedly found clothing related to the robberies in Waggoner's 24th-floor room. No gun was discovered.

Using fingerprints from the four robberies, police technicians identified Waggoner as a suspect Friday. A $500,000 arrest warrant was issued, and detectives were sent to Northern California towns that Waggoner had visited, such as Redding.

Fliers were delivered to surrounding agencies. Waggoner's name popped up on the registration list at the Nugget late Monday.

Sparks police summoned 12 SWAT members. The floor was partially evacuated before a call was made to Waggoner's room.

"We used some type of ruse to see who answered," said Sparks police Sgt. Chad Hawkins.

Hostage negotiators talked to Waggoner, notifying him that police were in the hallway outside his room. He reportedly said he had to put on his clothes before surrendering. Hawkins said no large sum of money was found during a search of the room. The amount of money taken in the heists has not been disclosed.

South Lake Tahoe detectives questioned Waggoner on Tuesday. He was being held at Washoe County Jail, awaiting extradition to South Lake Tahoe.

Deputy District Attorney Peter O'Hara said a preliminary charge of felony robbery was being filed for extradition purposes.

Police believe the same man robbed the El Dorado Savings banks. Each time, he handed a note to a teller and indicated he had a gun, sometimes by putting his arm in his backpack. After receiving the money, he would disappear on foot while authorities, including the FBI, searched the area.

An official with the Redding Police Department said Waggoner was in the police computer for "minor contacts," such as disturbances. The most recent encounter Waggoner had with Redding police was in 1997, but he was not arrested. There is no hometown on record for him.