Idaho Bank Robber Matches Description of ‘AK-47 Bandit’
FBI, Idaho Credit Union Offer Rewards Up to $70,000
| FBI Salt Lake City November 08, 2012 |
Law enforcement officials announced today the adult male who robbed a Rexburg, Idaho credit union on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, matches the description of the “AK-47 Bandit” who has hit banks in California and Washington. The FBI Salt Lake City Division and the Rexburg, Idaho Police Department continue to request the public’s help in identifying the person who committed the robbery at the East Idaho Credit Union in Rexburg on Wednesday. During that robbery the masked gunman used an assault rifle, ordered customers and employees into the vault, and got away with cash. No one was injured. An FBI wanted poster (link below) offers bank photos and a description of the subject and his getaway vehicle. Photos of the suspect are also at the conclusion of this press release.
According to information previously released by the FBI Los Angeles Division and posted at FBI.gov, the AK-47 Bandit also committed a heist on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at the California Bank & Trust in Chino, California. As the suspect fled the bank, he shot and seriously injured a police officer. The suspect is also believed to be connected to the March 12, 2012 robbery of the Bank of the West on the 1000 block of Helen Power Drive in Vacaville, California. He may also have been involved in an attempted robbery three days prior on March 9, 2012, of the Tri Counties Bank on the 1700 block of Challenge Way in Sacramento, California. On July 6, 2012, a similar style take-over robbery occurred at the Chase Bank on Mt. Si Boulevard in North Bend, Washington.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who committed these bank robberies.
Additionally, East Idaho Credit Union is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual who robbed the credit union in Rexburg, Idaho, on November 7, 2012.
The public is reminded the AK-47 Bandit is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information can contact the FBI Salt Lake City Division at (801) 579-1400 in Salt Lake City, Utah or e-mail tips to SaltLakeCity@ic.fbi.gov. Tipsters can also contact their nearest FBI office.
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