Suspected serial bank robber arrested after chase that began in Sugar Land

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- Police say he's a self-described professional bank robber, and now he's in custody. And the arrest of Charles L. Woods, 49, reportedly clears cases in at least six states across the country.

Woods, who's from Louisiana, will reportedly be charged with crimes in Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado and possibly Oklahoma.

According to Sugar Land police, the arrest happened after Wood robbed the Compass BBVA Bank along the Southwest Freeway on September 14 shortly before 5pm. Wood reportedly showed a weapon, demanded money and got away with more than $5,000 cash.

A bank employee provided Sugar Land police with a vehicle description. An officer spotted Wood's vehicle a short time later traveling on the Southwest Freeway and began to give chase. Other officers joined in, and they were able to get him to stop in the 3900 block of Bellaire near Stella Link, where he was arrested.

Police say while he was in custody, he confessed to the bank robberies. They say they also recovered property from his vehicle.

Wood was later transported to the Fort Bend County Jail, where bail was set at $100,000. A warrant was also issued for his arrest in Utah. Bail in that case was set at half a million dollars.

Police say Wood has a criminal history in Louisiana and Texas that includes public intoxication, criminal damage to property, driving while intoxicated, stalking, unlawful carrying of a weapon, violation of a protective order, interference with child custody and burglary of a habitation.

Sugar Land detectives continue to assist the FBI and other local jurisdictions with additional bank robbery investigations.