Man indicted in Modesto bank robberies

MODESTO -- A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted a man accused of robbing seven Modesto banks, including one that he allegedly robbed three times in six months, the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento reported.

Anthony Edward Fuerst, 51, of Modesto, was charged with seven counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal prosecutors said Fuerst was arrested last month after he brandished a sawed-off shotgun and robbed two Modesto banks in less than two hours.

The prosecutors said the investigation later revealed Fuerst was responsible for five other armed bank robberies in Modesto. He is suspected of robbing: Citibank on Oakdale Road on March 9; June 12 and Aug. 27; Farmers and Merchants Bank on North Carpenter Road on Aug. 13; Chase Bank on McHenry Avenue on Sept. 17; Farmers and Merchants Bank on McHenry Avenue on Jan. 18; and BBVA Compass Bank on Oakdale Road on Jan. 18.