Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Leonard Harrison Teagle Jr., 55 years old, who previously resided in the 4400 block of Prestige Lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia, pled guilty and was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge A. Bonwill Shockley for five (5) counts of Robbery of a Bank. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Judge Shockley sentenced Teagle to 25 years in prison with 15 suspended, leaving ten (10) years to serve. Teagle was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,054.05 to Wells Fargo and BB&T.
Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that between January 30 and March 23, 2012, Leonard Harrison Teagle Jr. robbed five (5) banks in the City of Virginia Beach, one (1) BB&T and four (4) Wells Fargo Banks. On March 23, 2012, Virginia Beach police were conducting surveillance at the Wells Fargo Bank located on Holland Road in response to a series of recent bank robberies. They observed Teagle walk to the front of the bank and exit a few moments later. He walked to the back of the bank in a manner consistent with the previous bank robberies. Teagle entered a silver Jeep, later discovered to be registered under his name. The officers confirmed with dispatchers that a male suspect had just robbed that Wells Fargo. They stopped Teagle’s vehicle and took him into custody.
In each of the robberies, Teagle dressed similarly and covered a portion of his face with sunglasses. He handed the teller a handwritten note demanding money and no dye packs. Demand notes recovered from all five bank robberies were similar in style and handwriting. Teagle’s fingerprint was on the demand note from the March 23 Wells Fargo robbery. During an interview with police, Teagle admitted to the bank robberies. No weapons were used during these crimes.
The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael D. Defricke. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.