'Bicycle Bandit' admits committing eight bank robberies

Dubbed the “Bicycle Bandit” by police because he made his getaways on a bicycle, New Jersey police arrested a suspect who later admitted committing the crimes.

Police in New Jersey and Delaware had been looking for the man suspected of robbing eight banks during a year-long spree in both states. Brian Layton, 48, was arrested by New Jersey state troopers on Sept. 25, 2009, while he was trying to flee officers on the Garden State Parkway in a van, he was then pursued by police on foot after he jumped from the vehicle, police said. According to police, during the pursuit Layton dropped a backpack containing cash from a bank robbery. On Feb. 9, Layton plead guilty to all eight counts of bank robber brought against him by prosecutors. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Sentencing is scheduled to take place in May, authorities said.