$20,000 Reward Offered for Information on Serial Bank Robber Dubbed the “Bayou Bandit”

OKLAHOMA CITY—James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oklahoma, joined David W. Welker, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Division of the FBI to announce a reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a serial bank robber dubbed the “Bayou Bandit.” In addition to the $20,000 reward, the Oklahoma Bankers Association is offering another reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of this serial bank robber.

The FBI and local authorities are looking into the possibility that a serial bank robber is responsible for the robbery of the following 11 banks since March 2010:

• Jeff Davis Bank, Jennings, Louisiana – March 1, 2010
• Whitney National Bank, Sulphur, Louisiana – April 26, 2010
• First Bank of Crowley, Crowley, Louisiana – July 8, 2010
• Rayne State Bank and Trust, Rayne, Louisiana – July 8, 2010
• International Bank of Commerce, Ardmore, Oklahoma – June 23, 2010
• BankFirst, Marietta, Oklahoma – June 24, 2010
• First United Bank, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma – July 17, 2010
• First Federal Bank, Fayetteville, Arkansas – July 29, 2010
• Pioneer Bank, Carlsbad, New Mexico – August 5, 2010
• Western Commerce Bank, Carlsbad, New Mexico – August 5, 2010
• Regions Bank, Natchez, Mississippi – August 16, 2010

The suspect, described as a white male, 40-50 years old, approximately 5’10 - 6’ tall, with an average build, typically enters the bank and presents a note to the teller demanding money. The unknown suspect has worn a baseball hat, dark sunglasses, and a dark-colored shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI in Oklahoma at 405-290-7770 or the FBI in New Orleans at 504-816-3000.