Wanted Bank Robber Rashon Mitchell Strikes Twice Today

The FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating wanted bank robber Rashon Mitchell, who is 35 years of age, 5’9” tall, 210 pounds, with a stocky build, a goatee-type beard and mustache, and prescription eyeglasses. He was charged this morning via Criminal Complaint in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in connection with the robbery of the FirstTrust Bank branch located at 1515 Market Street on September 29, 2009, and the attempted robbery of the Polonia Bank branch at 2133 Spring Garden on September 28, 2009. Mitchell is also considered a suspect in the robberies of the FirstTrust Bank branch at 1901 Walnut Street on September 25, 2009, and the TD Bank branch at 4020 City Avenue on October 4, 2009, and is believed to be the individual who committed robberies earlier this afternoon of the Bank of America branch at 4610 City Avenue at 12:12 p.m. and them immediately after that the PNC Bank branch located at 4060 City Avenue.

Mitchell is considered armed and dangerous. A photograph of Mitchell is below, along with photographs from bank surveillance cameras from the two robberies today. In today’s robberies Mitchell was wearing a black t-shirt and a black baseball cap with a red design or logo on the front.

There may be a reward available for information leading to the apprehension of this subject. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of this subject is asked to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department.

Today’s two bank robberies bring the total number of bank robberies in the city of Philadelphia up to 96 so far this calendar year, compared to 70 for the same period last year (2008); and of those 96 so far this year, 16 are classified as “armed” (i.e. a weapon was actually displayed or used, not just threatened), compared to six armed robberies for the same period last year.

To view flyers of this and other bank robbery subject wanted by the FBI/Major Crimes Task Force, please visit www.ppdonline.org and click on the Detectives Box and the Violent Crimes Task Force link.