Search warrant reveals evidence tying Cedar Rapids man to four bank robberies

A Cedar Rapids man accused of four bank robberies bonded out of jail Monday, just as a search warrant was filed showing the discovery of cash and clothing in his apartment that, police say, tie the man to the robberies.

Daniel Ray Nicholson, 33, was charged Friday with four counts of second-degree robbery. He is accused of robbing Wells Fargo Bank, 340 7th Ave. in Marion in September 2010; Wells Fargo Bank, 3406 F. Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids in December 2010; Wells Fargo Bank, 3570 1st Ave. in Cedar Rapids in January 2011; and two weeks ago, Hills Bank at 3905 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids.

According to the bond schedule set out in the Iowa Code, Keast went above the $10,000 bond guideline for second-degree robbery, a class C felony. The guideline sets a $25,000 bond for a class B felony such as first-degree robbery or second-degree sexual abuse.

Chief Judge Patrick Grady said Tuesday the bond schedule is an advisory and judges have the discretion to go higher or lower based on circumstances and facts.

Sixth Judicial Associate Judge Russell Keast set bonds on each robbery count for $25,000, and Nicholson posted the bonds through a bondsman Monday and was released, according to court records.

A Marion police officer and Cedar Rapids Police searched Nicholson's apartment at 3425 Hemlock Place NE Friday and collected a green winter coat that appeared to be the same one worn by the robbery suspect in the December and January robberies, according to the search warrant.

A tan coat also was found in an open closet that appeared to be from the May 27 robbery, according to the search warrant.

The officers also identified Nicholson, who was at the apartment during the search, from surveillance photos of the suspect, according to the search warrant. Nicholson was balding in the same manner as the suspect and his build was similar. He also has two moles on the left side of his face and the photos from the Wells Fargo robbery in Marion showed the suspect had two moles on the left side of his face.

Filter masks were also found in the apartment, according to the evidence log. In the May robbery, surveillance cameras captured an image of an unarmed man, wearing a white surgical mask, who demanded money from the teller. Just minutes earlier, a camera at a nearby convenience store photographed the same man before he put on the mask, according to police.

Other items collected in the search included jeans, a billfold with cash, cash from a computer desk drawer, sunglasses, baseball caps and boots.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Tuesday police aren't releasing how much money was found at Nicholson's apartment or how much was taken in the robberies.