A man accused of robbing three Honolulu banks made his initial appearance yesterday at federal court.

William Joseph Foley, 34, is charged with robbing Territorial Savings on Bishop Street (April 7), American Savings Bank at Ala Moana (April 11) and First Hawaiian Bank in Liliha (April 21). According to a criminal complaint, Foley was identified by fingerprints taken from the robbery sites, the victim tellers, and a Honolulu CrimeStoppers tip.

Assistant U.S. attorney Darren W.K. Ching said Foley did not contest detention and Magistrate Judge Barry M. Kurren set his preliminary hearing for May 14. Foley is being held at the federal detention center.

If convicted, Foley could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison for each robbery count.

Until recently, Foley had been on supervised release for an undisclosed federal charge, the complaint said.

Authorities contacted Foley by phone on Friday and asked him to surrender to police. He allegedly replied, "It's Friday night. I don't want to be in the cellblock over the weekend. I'll turn myself in Sunday night. That way, I get to the feds on Monday."

Foley surrendered at the main police station Sunday at 9:15 p.m.

The charging of Foley resolves nine of Honolulu's 10 bank robberies this year.

The breakdown of reported 2008 cases in Honolulu as compiled by The Advertiser: