Salem, Ore. — Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit arrested a Salem man as part of an investigation into a series of armed bank robberies in Salem and Albany.
The Salem Police SWAT team served a search warrant at a residence in the 2200 block of Lee ST SE and arrested Jason Lee Welty, age 50, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. Welty was identified as the primary suspect in three bank robberies in Salem and one that occurred in the city of Albany.
The first incident occurred on May 21 at the Valley Credit Union, 2096 Mission ST SE. The second robbery took place two days later on May 23 at the Chase Bank, 5135 Commercial ST SE. The third incident occurred on May 28 at the Key Bank, 1500 Edgewater ST NW. A bank robbery on May 31 in Albany at the Northwest Community Credit Union, 707 Waverly DR SE, was subsequently connected to the Salem cases.
Each of the Salem robberies took place in the afternoon hours and involved an adult male suspect who displayed a handgun, demanded money from the bank teller, and left with varying amounts of cash. None of the bank employees were injured in any of the incidents.
Welty was arrested without incident and lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
- Robbery, second-degree, three counts
- Theft, first-degree, three counts
- Menacing, three counts
Separate charges for Welty are forthcoming by the Albany Police Department for the crimes committed in their jurisdiction.
The Salem Police Department thanks the FBI Portland Field Office and Albany Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
All further inquiries about the Salem cases should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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