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Fresno's 'Smelly Bandit' pleads no contest in bank robberies

- The Fresno Bee

Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2012 | 08:40 AM

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A Fresno man dubbed by police as the "Smelly Bandit" pleaded no contest Tuesday in Fresno County Superior Court to robbing five banks and a Subway sandwich shop in Fresno and Clovis.

Michael Garrett, 56, faces eight years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 14.

Garrett entered his plea on the second day of his preliminary hearing to spare the victims from having to testify at trial, defense attorney Michael McKneely said.

Garrett was arrested April 30 after police pulled him over during a traffic stop near Cedar and Shields avenues.

Police say more than $15,000 was taken in the five bank robberies between Jan. 6 and April 23 this year. Garrett also admitted to robbing the Subway sandwich shop at First Street and Bullard Avenue on Feb. 13, 2011.

In robbing the banks, prosecutor Sam Dalesandro said during the hearing, Garrett would hand a note to the bank teller and demand money. Garrett is alleged to have used a knife to rob the sandwich shop, Dalesandro said.

Dalesandro gave credit to Fresno police detective Brandi Phebus for putting together the case against Garrett. She collected surveillance tapes and tracked down witnesses who identified Garrett as the bank robber.

Phebus said police dubbed Garrett the "Smelly Bandit" because when he robbed the Bank of America at Blackstone and Nees avenues on March 6, witnesses said he reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.



The reporter can be reached at plopez@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6434.

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