Home Sacramento Press Releases 2010 “Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit” Still at Large
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

“Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit” Still at Large

FBI Sacramento March 09, 2010
  • Special Agent Neeki Bianchi (916) 977-2258

The FBI is teaming with local law enforcement in an effort to identify a man suspected of robbing three banks in the Lake Tahoe and Grass Valley areas during the past three months.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 40 - 50 years old, with gray or salt-and-pepper gray hair. He is 5’9” to 6’ tall and has a slim build.

As part of his disguise he wears a fedora-type hat and a fake goatee leading authorities to nickname him the “Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit.” In each of the robberies he displayed a handgun and used a black, eco-friendly-type bag commonly found at many supermarkets for his loot. The bag has straps and unidentified green writing on it.

The spree started late last year in Grass Valley with a December 22 robbery of the Bank of the West, 736 Turnersville Road, and continued with the February 18 robbery of the Bank of the West, 2160 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. He is also wanted in connection with Monday’s robbery of the Bank of the West, 200 Bear Street in Kings Beach.

In all of the robberies, the suspect approached the teller counter and made verbal demands for money. In at least one of the robberies, he made an attempt to disguise his voice by speaking with clenched teeth.

Witness descriptions and surveillance photos indicate the suspect also wore a light colored parka/rain jacket with a hood that has dark colored trim near the zipper and hood, a light colored mock turtle-neck shirt, black pants, black shoes and black sunglasses. In two of the robberies he wore black gloves.

These robberies are being investigated by the Grass Valley Police Department, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.

Surveillance photographs are below, and anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact the FBI in Sacramento at (916) 481-9110. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Placer County Crime Stoppers hot line at 1-800-923-8191. Any tip leading to the arrest of any suspects in this case is eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00.

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 1 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 2 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 3 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 4 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 5 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 6 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 7 of 8 (3/9/10)

Sacramento Division Fake-Bearded Fedora Bandit, Photo 8 of 8 (3/9/10)