Seattle Safe Streets Task Force Arrests Cyborg Bandit
Wanted for Series of Bank Robberies Throughout Two Counties

Yesterday, Seattle Safe Streets Task Force officers arrested a man whom they believe is the serial bank robber known as both the Cyborg Bandit and the Elephant Man Bandit.

On February 11, 2014, shortly after 4:30 p.m., the Seattle Safe Streets Task Force (SSSTF) arrested a 44-year-old man who resides in Everett, Washington immediately after he exited a Key Bank in the University District of Seattle.

SSSTF investigators nicknamed the bank robber who wore a textured metallic fabric over his face the Cyborg Bandit because of the material’s similar appearance to cyborgs and cylons in science fiction productions. SSSTF investigators nicknamed the bank robber who covered his head with a shirt or other material bearing two small eye holes the Elephant Man Bandit because of the similarity to a character in a movie of the same name. Combining bank robberies attributed to each nicknamed robber, the SSSTF believes the subject in custody may be responsible for 30 bank robberies throughout King and Snohomish Counties.

Officials speak at press conference announcing arrest of the man believed to be both the Cyborg Bandit and Elephant Man Bandit. (Pictured, from left to right, are FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph D. Ladd, Everett Police Department Chief Kathy Atwood, and Bellevue Police Department Chief Linda Pillo.)

Through the lengthy, joint investigation with partners across the two counties, SSSTF investigators identified a van they believed was associated with the Cyborg Bandit. Around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, the van with a lone white male driver began to drive around the Key Bank on 25th Avenue NE in the University District of Seattle. After two hours of apparent surveillance of the bank by the individual, he was observed putting on a mask and entering the bank. Key Bank reported a robbery by a masked man around 4:30 p.m. When the previously observed individual exited the bank, SSSTF agents arrested the man on probable cause.

A search warrant was immediately sought for the subject’s North Everett residence. Everett Police Department served the search warrant at approximately 12:00 a.m. (midnight), February 12, 2014, with the assistance of SSSTF and other FBI personnel. Investigators recovered sufficient evidence to support proceeding with the investigation.

The SSSTF continues to investigate the bank robberies attributed to the Cyborg Bandit and/or the Elephant Man, including:

• February 11, 2014 (Tue)—Key Bank, University Village Branch, Seattle, WA
• February 4, 2014 (Tue)—US Bank inside Fred Meyer, Lynnwood, WA
• Jan 24, 2014 (Fri)—Key Bank, Mukliteo, WA
• January 13, 2014 (Mon)—Banner Bank, Everett, WA
• January 4, 2014 (Sat)—Chase Bank, Lynnwood, WA
• December 31, 2013 (Tue)—Key Bank, Woodinville, WA
• December 16, 2013 (Mon)—Whidbey Island Bank, Everett, WA
• December 14, 2013 (Sat)—Wells Fargo, Bellevue, WA
• December 4, 2013 (Wed)—Sterling Bank Northgate, Seattle, WA
• November 30, 2013 (Sat)—Wells Fargo Totem Lake, Kirkland, WA
• November 13, 2013 (Wed)—Key Bank, University Village, Seattle, WA
• November 7, 2013, (Thu)—Home Street Bank, Marysville, WA
• October 30, 2013 (Wed)—Banner Bank, Everett, WA
• October 23, 2013 (Wed)—Whidbey Island Bank, Bothell, WA
• October 18, 2013 (Fri)—US Bank, Shoreline, WA
• October 2, 2013 (Wed)—Banner Bank, Woodinville, WA
• September 24, 2013 (Tue)—Key Bank, Bellevue, WA
• September 3, 2013 (Tues)—US Bank, Aurora Branch, Shoreline, WA
• August 29, 2013 (Thu)—US Bank, Mukilteo Branch, Mukileto, WA
• August 12, 2013 (Mon)—Whidbey Island, Mill Creek Branch, Mill Creek, WA
• July 17, 2013 (Thu) Whidbey Island, North Seattle, Shoreline
• July 12, 2013 (Wed) Whidbey Island, Woodinville Branch, Woodinville
• July 5, 2013 (Fri) Whidbey Island, North Creek, Bothell WA
• April 29, 2013 (Mon) Banner Bank Evergreen Way, Everett, WA
• April 26, 2013 (Fri)—Whidbey Island Bank, North Seattle, Shoreline, WA
• April 22, 2013 (Mon)—Bank of America, Everett, WA
• March 29, 2013 (Fri)—Whidbey Island Bank, Bothell, WA
• March 1, 2013 (Fri)—Whidbey Island Bank, Everett, WA
• February 19, 2013 (Tues)—Whidbey Island Bank, Mill Creek Branch, Mill Creek, WA
• February 5, 2013 (Tues)—Banner Bank, Everett, WA

Map showing locations of bank robberies attributed to the Cyborg Bandit/Elephant Man Bandit.

The bank robberies usually took place in the late afternoon and the subject (of both nicknames) generally wore latex gloves and covered his face.

The Seattle Safe Streets Task Force includes members from the FBI, Auburn Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, and Seattle Police Department. This joint investigation also combines the investigative and analytic expertise of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Bothell, Edmonds, Everett, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, and Shoreline Police Departments.

For more information, please contact:

FBI Seattle Division
Public Affairs Specialist Ayn Sandalo Dietrich
Ayn.dietrich@ic.fbi.gov
206-262-2390

Everett Police Department
Officer Aaron Snell, Community Information Officer
ASnell@everettwa.gov
425-508-8854

Seattle Police Department
Detective Renée Witt, Public Affairs
renee.witt@seattle.gov
206-615-1558

King County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Cindi West, Media Relations
cindi.west@kingcounty.gov
206-255-0778

Bellevue Police Department
Officer Carla Iafrate
ciafrate@bellevuewa.gov
425-452-4129