Bigfork Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robberies

A Bigfork man has pleaded guilty to being the so-called "motorcycle bandit" who robbed four western Montana banks — one of them twice.

The Missoulian reports 56-year-old Steven Dee Norred pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Jeremiah Lynch.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot says the plea agreement calls for restitution of $88,012 — the total amount taken during the five bank robberies between September 2010 and September 2011.

Norred pleaded guilty to robbing the First Interstate Bank in Bigfork, Glacier Bank in Lakeside twice, First Valley Bank in Seeley Lake and Bitterroot Valley Bank in St. Regis. He was apprehended after the second Glacier Bank robbery.

Sentencing is set for June 28.

The robberies were committed by a man wearing a helmet who fled on a motorcycle, dirt bike or all-terrain vehicle.