Here's how police identified a 72-year-old bank robbery suspect in Kennewick

When a man was filmed robbing a bank on Thursday, it didn't take long for police to recognize him – by the way he walked.

Keith H. Foster, 72, of Kennewick, is accused of entering the Chase Bank at 30 Vista Way with a note demanding money around 11:45 a.m., Commander Isaac Merkl said. The suspect wore a full ski mask covering his face.

The cashier handed over a “large” amount of money, then the thief exited the building.

He made no threats and did not show a weapon, Merkl said.

He left the scene before police surrounded the bank. Police used a drone and a police dog to try to find him, but without success.

However, because Foster has a long criminal history dating back to the late 1980s, police say the mask was not enough to disguise him.

“He is someone we know and he has a specific approach that allowed us to identify him,” Merkl said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Police used that information to track him through security cameras from nearby businesses.

Once police identified their suspect, it took some patience to track him down, they said. Officers then conducted surveillance on an apartment in the 3300 block of West Ninth Avenue to which Foster is connected. He was arrested as he was leaving.

Detectives reportedly found money they believed was stolen during the robbery when they searched the apartment.

He was booked into the Benton County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery.