Greenwich Bank Robbery Suspect: From Beefcake To Bandit

GREENWICH, CT — When David E. Byers, the captured California man accused of three robberies in Greenwich in span of week, will return to Connecticut to face charges is unknown. But when he does, he may be greeted by a host of adoring Internet fans.

The 34-year-old Solona, CA, resident was apprehended in San Diego County this week and is awaiting extradition back to Connecticut, a process that could "take some time," according to Greenwich Police Lt. David Nemecek, as in weeks or possibly longer.

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In the meantime, beefcake modeling pictures of the tattooed Byers, mostly taken by photographer Michael Stokes, have been circulating around the web, turning the bank robbery suspect into a bit of a sensation.

"You guys are going to hear about this eventually, so here you go," wrote Stokes in a Facebook post. "I'm very surprised and saddened by this. David texted me last week Tuesday and seemed very upbeat and happy, so the timing of this is shocking."

Byers is accused of robbing a Chase Bank, twice, and a Citgo station in Greenwich before leading police on a foot chase in Connecticut, and then a car chase in New York and into Pennsylvania before his trail turned cold.

Prior to that but following the robberies, Byers temporarily spent time at the JHouse hotel and bar in Riverside, reports the Greenwich Time. Police tracked him there but he got away, which began the chase into to other states.

Cops were able to gather evidence from the ditched stolen Range Rover he used, and he was eventually captured a couple of days later back in his home state of California, according to Greenwich Police Capt. Kraig Gray.

How and why he chose Greenwich for his crime spree is unknown, but Stokes told Yahoo Style that before the crimes Byers had told him that he moved to New York to be with his girlfriend.

"Clearly, he was a very prolific thief," said Gray during a press conference Thursday. "Other charges are likely forthcoming from out west. With everything he's done, it's pretty clear he was a menace."

Photo 1: Mugshot of David Byers from the Yuma, Arizona, Police Department's Facebook page; Photo 2: Greenwich Police Capt. Kraig Gray holding a press conference this week about the case (photo credit: Alfred Branch)