Ex-Army Ranger accused in bank robbery back in custody

Canadian authorities have rearrested a former U.S. Army Ranger accused of leading a takeover-style bank robbery last year in Tacoma.

Luke Sommer was supposed to be under house arrest at his mother's home in Peachland, B.C., but disappeared on June 27. Plainclothes officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested him without incident at a phone booth in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, said U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Emily Langlie.

The RCMP had issued an arrest warrant for Sommer, and the FBI was on the lookout as well, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Christel Davidsen, Sommer's mother, said her son disappeared after celebrating his 21st birthday with family and friends. Sommer, who has dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship, was born in Kelowna, B.C., and grew up in nearby Peachland.

Federal prosecutors allege Sommer masterminded the Aug. 7, 2006, robbery of a Bank of America branch in Tacoma. The robbers, some armed with AK-47s, made off with $54,011.

Sommer traveled to Canada the night of the robbery and was arrested in Westbank, B.C., a few days later.

Sommer is fighting extradition to the U.S. for the bank-robbery charges.

Court papers allege that Sommer's motive for the robbery was to raise funds to start a crime family to rival the Hell's Angels for control of the drug trade in the Kelowna area.

Sommer told The Seattle Times in December that his motive was to bring attention to war crimes by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army has said an investigation found no evidence to support Sommer's claims.

Alex Blum and Chad Palmer, who served alongside Sommer in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, have pleaded guilty to taking part in the robbery. Blum told the court he served as the getaway driver and Palmer admitted to keeping watch inside the bank.

Tigra Robertson of Kelowna and Nathan Dunmall of Chilliwack, B.C., also have pleaded guilty to taking part in the robbery, although Robertson is still contesting certain firearms charges in connection with the case.

Former Ranger Scott Byrne pleaded guilty to helping plan the robbery. A fifth former Ranger, Richard Olinger, pleaded guilty to storing hand grenades and homemade explosives for Sommer.

Information previously reported in The Seattle Times is contained in this report.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com