“Bird Flu Bandit” Robs Third Bank

El Paso Federal Employees Credit Union, 9305 North Loop, El Paso, Texas, was robbed at 10:15 this morning. The subject walked into the bank, displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, and demanded money, which he received and put into a gray plastic grocery bag. He then told the tellers to get on the ground and he left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. This is the city’s 14th bank robbery of the year.

This robber, dubbed the “Bird Flu Bandit,” is believed to have robbed two other local banks this year—the May 21, 2010, robber at this same North Loop bank (the city’s sixth robbery) and the June 24, 2010, First Savings Bank, 909 North Mesa (the city’s eighth robbery). In all three robberies he wore some type of mask or bandana to cover his mouth.

Subject Description:

• Hispanic male, late 20s-early 30s, short brown hair
• About 5’10”-6’ tall, thin build
• Spoke only in Spanish
• Wore a surgical mask, yellow and black gloves, and carried the gun in his right hand
• Wore a blue Houston Texans #8 jersey, blue jean shorts, and red and gray baseball cap

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and has information about this robbery, please call the FBI at 915-832-5000.