Jeffrey R. Cox liked to drink beer, play sports-related video games, and go out to clubs in downtown Lawrence — typical activities for a 21-year-old Kansas University student.

But three times during the past year, authorities allege, Cox put on a hat and sunglasses, walked into a Lawrence bank, pointed a handgun at tellers, and demanded money. According to court records, he has now confessed to two other bank robberies in Ohio.

As Cox awaits trial in federal court, at least one person who knew him in Lawrence is struggling to understand how the reserved former business student could also be suspected of being an armed bank robber.

“Jeff always was a level-headed guy,” said Bob Bonifield, 20, who lived with Cox near Clinton Parkway and Kasold Drive at the time of two local robberies. “He’s very professional, very precise. … He wouldn’t have done something as drastic as that unless there was something very serious happening in his life.”

After hearing of Cox’s arrest, Bonifield initially thought Cox may have owed someone money. But after talking with people close to Cox, Bonifield said, he now thinks other problems may have played a role.

“I never really knew exactly what was going on in inside of his head,” said Bonifield, who now lives in Tempe, Ariz. “He may have had some emotional issues that led him to go over the edge.”

Bonifield said he met Cox two years ago while both were living on the third floor of McCollum Hall. Cox told people he had previously attended Kent State University in Ohio, Bonifield said.

No money worries

Cox, Bonifield and others often sneaked alcohol into the residence hall and helped the third floor earn a reputation as a “party floor” that year, Bonifield said.

According to KU records, Cox was from Hudson, Ohio — an affluent community south of Cleveland — and wasn’t enrolled at KU during the fall 2003 semester.

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In August 2002, Cox, Bonifield and another friend moved into a townhome on Hawthorne Drive. They lived there for a year, during which time two of the alleged robberies happened: the Feb. 2, 2003, robbery of Central National Bank, 711 Wakarusa Drive, and the June 9, 2003, robbery of Douglas County Bank, 711 W. 23rd St.

Bonifield said he never saw his roommate with a gun and he didn’t notice anything unusual at the time. In retrospect, though, Cox seemed unconcerned about money, Bonifield said.

He told roommates he’d received an inheritance. He customized his Nissan Maxima, bought a new mattress for his bed, and bought beer whenever he wanted it, Bonifield said.

After the most recent robbery — the Dec. 10 robbery of University National Bank, 1400 Kasold Drive — a surveillance camera captured a crystal-clear image of the suspect’s face. Bonifield recognized his old roommate immediately.

“I remember the specific stocking cap,” he said. “I also remember that specific pair of Ray-Bans.”

Return to Kansas

After an investigation by the Lawrence Police Department, FBI agents arrested Cox in late December at a family member’s home in Alpharetta, Ga.

Later this month, Cox is expected to be transported to Kansas by U.S. Marshals, officials said Wednesday. Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office has filed state charges in connection with all three of the bank robberies.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Cox with only the Dec. 10 robbery, but according to a detention order filed Jan. 8 in Atlanta, he’s charged federally with three robberies. The form also says he’s confessed to two other robberies in Ohio, but Steve Lazarus, an FBI agent in Atlanta said he couldn’t elaborate about those cases.

“I couldn’t begin to count the ways I could get fired by talking about a confession,” he said.

According to online court records, Cox has not yet been charged in any Ohio cases.