Authorities have now identified Raphael Shaw as the man who wore a blonde wig and face mask to steal $104,000 from a west Philadelphia Wells Fargo Bank in May.
Security footage captured Shaw, 20, as he and another man, Xavier Nolley-Hall used a stolen Lowe’s forklift to remove a vault from the inside of the Wells Fargo branch.
Shaw and Nolley-Hall were among a group of people who went inside the ransacked bank. Police officers were covering other areas of unrest in the city following the death of George Floyd, and none were on the scene at the time.
Shaw visited the bank before the actual crime and made a plan for how he would steal the money.
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After the heist, a dark Pontiac was seen trailing the forklift. The license plate number was connected to Shaw.
Shaw used social media to show off some of the cash that stolen from the bank. He was also recognized by two police officers with whom he’d previously had contact. His arm tattoos were noted as a distinguishing feature.
Three days after stealing from the bank, Shaw was arrested for being in possession of a stolen car. At that time, he was out on bail, awaiting trial for a different assault charge.
His alleged accomplice, Nolley-Hall was arrested on July 9 and is adamant he doesn’t know Shaw, even though they were seen on surveillance video together.
The two face many charges in this case including entering a bank with intent to commit a felony. Shaw is scheduled for a detention hearing on Tuesday.
Many residences, local stores and banks in west Philadelphia are still rebuilding after the days of looting and protests.
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