KANSAS CITY, Mo. - David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a homeless man was charged in federal court today with robbing Bank of the West in Kansas City, Mo.

Daniel Vermeer, 52, was charged with bank robbery in a criminal complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. Vermeer remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, Vermeer – who told investigators that he is homeless and has been living in the woods – entered Bank of the West, 5245 N.W. 64th St., Kansas City, on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, and approached a bank employee. Vermeer allegedly told the employee to “Lay 50s and 100s on the counter,” and added, “I have a pistol and I don’t want to hurt anybody.” The employee placed money on the counter, and Vermeer allegedly demanded more money. As Vermeer started reaching in his pocket, the affidavit says, he stated, “Don’t make me pull my pistol!” Vermeer allegedly demanded the money in all the teller drawers and warned the employee not to pull any alarms.

The bank employee placed $5,095 in a plastic grocery bag, according to the affidavit, and Vermeer walked out of the bank. Kansas City police officers located Vermeer in the area of the bank and he was arrested. Vermeer told investigators that he had changed his clothes in the nearby woods and walked to The Outlaw, a neighboring business, and purchased a cigar. As he was leaving the business, he was stopped by police officers.

Ketchmark cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Clark. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.

Return to Top