'Pillowcase' Robber Convicted Of Hold-UpSpree

SEATTLE - (03/25/05) -- A Kent man believed to be the'Pillowcase Robber,' was found guilty this week of robbing 10 areacredit unions and banks and check cashers. Ivy Bird Gaines, 40, wasbelieved responsible for as many as 20 area robberies since June2002, including the August 4, 2003 heist at Washington Employees CUand the August 7, 2003 hold-up at Alaska USA FCU. Authoritiesdubbed him the Pillowcase Robber because he often handed tellers apillowcase and ordered them to fill it with cash. Gaines wasarrested after a hold-up at KeyBank when police found a pillowcasewith $15,000 stuffed in it in his car. At his trial, Gaines claimedhe lent his car to a man named 'Fat Joe,' who he claimed committedthe robberies.