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TACOMA, Wash. – A Port Townsend farmer has been charged in a Tacoma bank robbery, as FBI agents investigate whether he could be responsible for several more bank heists on the West Coast.

Michael Fenter was arrested last week in the foiled Tacoma robbery.

Agents say Fenter threatened the teller with what he said was bomb. Tacoma police surrounded the bank before he could escape.

Agents say Fenter led a double-life, according to agents, who charged Fenter after his arrest.

Pierce Co. Sheriff’s Office

Michael John Fenter.

Fenter and his wife operate the Compass Rose Farm, which grows organic produce and was featured in an August article in the The Leader newspaper of Port Townsend. The paper says Fenter – a father of three – was laid off from his job as a yacht builder earlier this year. The string of robberies started soon after.

The FBI in Seattle says Fenter is being investigated for robberies in San Francisco and Sacramento, as well as Seattle and Tacoma.

Charging documents say Fenter refused to cooperate after his arrest and was identified only after his hands were washed with solvents and could be fingerprinted.

Friday afternoon in Tacoma Federal Court, a judge ordered that Fenter remain behind bars until trial.