Robbery suspect arrest details released

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday released further details about Monday night's arrest of the suspect allegedly involved with the bankcda robbery in Hayden earlier that day.

The North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force (NIVCTF) quickly identified the suspect, Charles Ray Bartkowiak, 34, Hayden, thanks to numerous tips after surveillance photos were shared with other agencies and the public. In the photos, Bartkowiak's face was not covered.

NIVCTF responded to Bartkowiak’s residence, where they discovered the getaway car with the hatchet displayed at the time of the robbery and stolen cash still in the vehicle.

Bartkowiak was not at the residence as it appeared he had left on foot prior to their arrival. The vehicle and home were secured and a search warrant was obtained.

At 10:30 p.m., while investigators were serving the search warrant on Bartkowiak’s home, they were advised a suspicious male was seen in a neighbor’s yard to the south of Bartkowiak’s residence.

NIVCTF members along with a K-9 unit quickly located the male, found to be Bartkowiak, and took him into custody without incident near his own home.

Bartkowiak has an extensive criminal history in Kootenai County dating back to 1999. Some of his previous charges have included: possession of paraphernalia, underage alcohol, driving while suspended, fictitious display, violation of a protection order, probation violations, inattentive driving, possession of controlled substance, fraudulent use of a bank card, second-degree stalking, forgery and battery.

Bartkowiak was charged with robbery and burglary for the incident at the Hayden business. He is being held at the Kootenai County jail on a $100,000 bond.

Investigators believe Bartkowiak was allegedly working alone in the robbery.