Shaun Harper, alleged bank robber: When cops tell him to raise hands, money falls from pockets

Update: Shaun Harper, who allegedly robbed a bank in Golden on Saturday only to be nabbed after suspected loot literally fell out of his pocket in front of police, has been released from an area hospital; he had unspecified medical issues that were reportedly unrelated to his arrest. He's been...

By Michael Roberts

December 14, 2010

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Update: Shaun Harper, who allegedly robbed a bank in Golden on Saturday only to be nabbed after suspected loot literally fell out of his pocket in front of police, has been released from an area hospital; he had unspecified medical issues that were reportedly unrelated to his arrest. He's been booked into Jefferson County Jail on $50,000 bond. Look below to see a larger version of his mug shot and our original coverage. Updated Golden Police Department release:

This is a follow up to the apprehension of Shaun P. Harper on Saturday Dec. 11, 2010.

Harper has been released from the hospital and is now being held at the Jefferson County Jail. He faces felony charges of Robbery and Menacing. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.

On Saturday Dec. 13, 2010 Harper was arrested after he allegedly robbed the Bank of the West at 701 13th St. in Golden at gun point. He then fled the area on foot. After an intensive search Harper was apprehended as he tried to board an RTD bus. Harper was taken into custody without incident.

Original item, 12:29 p.m. December 13: Shortly after a Bank of the West branch in Golden was held up at gunpoint on Saturday, cops stopped Shaun P. Harper, 42, and asked him to raise his hands, at which point money fell out of his pockets, making deniability a leetle bit of a problem -- which may explain why he didn't bother proclaiming his innocence. "He said, 'Okay, you got me. I robbed the bank,'" maintains Golden Police spokesman Jeff Hesalroad. "He made it pretty easy on us."

Why no mug shot of Harper yet? According to Hesalroad, Harper is a transient who had some medical problems at the time of his arrest. Hesalroad doesn't specify what specifically is wrong with him, but he remains hospitalized at this writing.

Below, find more details about the robbery and arrest, and see an interactive graphic of the area near where the crime took place; if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map."

Golden Police Department release:

Golden Police Nab Bank Robber

Golden, Colo. -- Dec. 11, 2010-At about 9:25 am the Golden Police Department was notified that the Bank of the West located at 701 13th St. had been robbed. An employee said a white male wearing a C.U. hooded sweatshirt walked up to a teller and handed her a note that instructed her to give him the money from her drawer. He then pulled a black and silver handgun from his sweatshirt and pointed it at the teller. After receiving the money the robber fled the bank on foot.

After looking for the suspected bank robber for approximately 40 minutes a Golden Police Officer saw a white male run out of a park and towards an RTD bus. The male no longer had on the C.U. sweatshirt however he matched the description given by bank employees. Golden Police were able to contact 42 year old Shaun P. Harper before he was able to get on the bus. When Harper was ordered to put his hands in the air, money suspected to be from the bank fell out of his pockets, the gun was recovered as well. Harper was arrested without incident.

Harper was taken to an area hospital to be checked for a condition unrelated to the arrest.

View Larger Map

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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