Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Professional Model Accused of Cross Country Crime Spree

The model appeared in court for the first time Thursday.

A San Diego model accused of robbing three banks in two days in Connecticut appeared in court for the first time Thursday to face a prior charge.

David Byers, 34, of Solana Beach, California, a professional model, pleaded not guilty to one count of grand theft for stealing a rowing machine from a gym in a Pacific Beach apartment complex in San Diego. He failed to appear in court in March on the charge. 

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Michael Stokes Photography

He also faces robbery, larceny and reckless endangerment charges connected to his recent crimes. 

Byers allegedly robbed three banks in Greenwich, Conn. 

The robberies at a Chase bank on East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich were about a mile away from a Citgo gas station in Cos Cob that was also robbed during a 48-hour crime spree.

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Michael Stokes Photography

A copy of the FBI search warrant revealed Byers also allegedly stole a Range Rover and emailed photos of the cash he stole to his girlfriend. 

Greenwich Police determined the 34-year-old suspect had fled to San Diego and informed authorities in California. He was arrested at 12 a.m. (PST) Wednesday in San Diego's North Park neighborhood. 

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Elysha Ramin was behind the register of the Citgo on Monday night when a man he described as calm came in with his face covered and showed what looked like a gun.

“He said he would not hurt me, so I gave him the money as quickly as possible, and then he left,” Ramin said.

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“Clearly this person has some level of desperation to commit three crimes of this nature one after the other,” Greenwich Police Captain Kraig Gray said.

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Despite a manhunt helmed by a slew of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and New York State Police, the suspect managed to evade authorities for weeks. 

Byers also allegedly led Yuma, Arizona authorities on a pursuit and escaped in a stolen Range Rover; he will likely face charges in Arizona as well. 

Byers' bond was set at $35,000. He is set to appear in court again May 15. 

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