Milwaukee area bank robberies, man charged; said he was in 'drug debt'

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Daniel Socks

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. - A Cedarburg man has been criminally charged after prosecutors say he robbed multiple Milwaukee-area banks in the span of a few days.

39-year-old Daniel Socks faces the following felony charges:

• Robbery of a Financial Institution (4 Counts)
• Attempted Robbery of a Financial Institution (1 Count)

Timeline of robberies

What we don't know:

First Citizens Bank - Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee location

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 30 at about 12:19 a.m., Daniel Socks, the defendant, approached a teller at the bank and handed her the note. The teller did not keep a note and recalled that the note demanded $5,000-$10,000 or else everyone would die. The teller handed over about $455 in cash.

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Socks then left and got in an SUV, which drove away. The complaint goes on to say that 31-year-old Neal French has been charged for his role in the robbery, driving Socks to and from the bank, distracting the guard, and watching Socks, wherein he got $100 from him.

Associated Bank - MLK Drive, Milwaukee location

The complaint goes to say that on Feb. 1, just before noon, Socks approached the teller and said, "Give me your money." He also had a deposit/withdrawal slip with "$5,000" written on it, but no account information. Socks then repeated, more aggressively, "Give me your money!"

The teller handed Socks $80 in a $200 money band, with a GPS tracker hidden within the money. He then left the bank.

Associated Bank - Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee location

The complaint goes on to say that on Feb. 3, at about 1:50 p.m., Socks approached the teller and said, "This is a robbery, give me your money!" The teller complied, turning over $44 and 77 euros. He then left.

BMO Harris - Water Street, Milwaukee location (attempted robbery)

The complaint goes on to say that just a few minutes after the previous robbery, Socks entered this bank and approached the teller, who asked if he was making a withdrawal. Socks responded, "This is actually a robbery, I want you to give me everything you got."

The teller would need to use the computer to access any money. However, as the teller was doing so, Socks said, "No, no, no computer." The teller then pressed the silent alarm button beneath the computer. When the teller did this, Socks said, "No, no, no panic button." He then left without getting any money, per the complaint.

Wells Fargo - Oakland Avenue, Shorewood location

The complaint goes to say that about an hour after the previous robbery, Socks approached the teller at this bank and stated, "I’m going to need the money." He also told the teller not to look anywhere else, not to talk to anyone else, not to move their hands, and to just give him the money from the drawer. The teller did so, handing over about $988.

Interview with Daniel Socks

What we know:

On Feb. 5, authorities conducted a mirandized interview with Socks. He was shown the security camera footage of all of the above robberies.

Socks explained that he was in drug debt and was getting money from banks to pay off the debt. He denied "robbing" the banks, stating the banks would give him money voluntarily if he asked, per the complaint.

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Court proceedings

What's next:

Daniel Socks had his initial appearance in court on Monday, Feb. 10. Cash bond was set at $35,000.

He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 17.