TACOMA – They are highly trained soldiers the U.S. government deploys in special operations. But now, three Fort Lewis Army Rangers are accused of using their military training in an extremely organized robbery of a Tacoma bank.

Investigators said this was not your everyday bank robbery, with the extremely disciplined robbers wearing government-issued body armor. In fact, one of the men's job was to watch and call out the time every 30 seconds.

On Monday, August 7, five masked men stormed the Bank of America branch at 5813 S. Tacoma Way in Tacoma. They were armed with assault rifles and semi-automatic handguns. Two of the robbers ordered customers and employees to the ground while the others went for the cash.

FBI

Luke Sommer

In two-and-a-half minutes, the robbers were gone – with $54,000.

Detectives said the heist was carried out with military-style precision and planning.

According to charging papers, a witness outside the bank noticed the men getting into their getaway car and wrote down the license plate. A trace of the plate led authorities to Fort Lewis where they searched the three men's rooms.

Police found purple money bands, cash and multiple rifles and handguns.

Two of them were arrested without incident and charged with one count of armed bank robbery.

Alex Blum, 19, was arrested by FBI agents on Aug. 9 in Denver, Colo., where he was visiting family. He had his initial court appearance Thursday and is expected to return to Seattle.

Chad Palmer, 20, was arrested by FBI agents Aug. 10 in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was visiting family. His initial appearance was Friday in Norfolk.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a third suspect – Luke Sommer, who is also an Army soldier stationed at Fort Lewis.

The two other men involved in the robbery are from Canada, recruited by one of the Army Rangers. They have not yet been arrested.

Luke Sommer is considered armed and extremely dangerous. He is described as a 20-year-old, white male, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, with short brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information concerning Sommer's whereabouts or anyone with information concerning the robbery is asked to call the Seattle FBI Office at 206-622-0460.