UPDATE: Money, firearm found in suspect’s vehicle
By Terry Murry on Monday, December 20th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE: 12-20-21 2:50 p.m. Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston says a search warrant on the car driven by the suspect turned up the money taken from the bank and a firearm. Edmiston added that Uptegrove has an address in Moxee, Washington as his residence.
He added that in the police pursuit, a Umatilla County Sheriff’s vehicle initially had the lead, but a Hermiston officer took over the lead. At that point, he said Uptegrove slowed as if to stop and the Hermiston officer used his pickup truck to wedge the suspect’s vehicle to prevent a further attempt to flee.
HERMISTON – The man charged with armed robbery of the Umpqua Bank in Hermiston was out on compassionate release by the U.S. District Court in Seattle. Clifford C. Uptegrove, 58, was serving time for armed bank robbery.
Court documents reflect he applied for and was given early release due to his asthma and the effects COVID-19 could have on his condition. He further stated that he planned to live with and help his sister in Yakima who was being treated for cancer.
Uptegrove was taken into custody after a pursuit following the robbery Friday afternoon. A search warrant for his vehicle was, according to Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston, expected to turn up the undisclosed amount of cash he took from the bank as well as the weapon he used.
The charges in Washington state were brought and tried in federal court. We are seeking information as to whether the Hermiston case will also be tried by the U.S. Department of Justice. Currently, he is lodged in Umatilla County Jail charged with first-degree bank robbery, aggravated theft, and attempting to elude law enforcement. His bail is set at $280,000.
