“Grandad Bandit”

Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: He was dubbed the “Grandad Bandit,” but Michael Francis Mara’s life of crime began decades before he became a grandfather.

Micheal Termyn: Mara had an extensive criminal history.

Halpern: I’m Mollie Halpern of the FBI, and this is “Gotcha.” Mara’s latest crime spree involved robbing 26 banks in 14 states. A break in the case came when a billboard campaign featuring the fugitive caught the attention of a tipster who provided investigators with pictures. Special Agent Michael Termyn…

Termyn: The pictures that were provided were phenomenal, and actually had Michael Mara wearing some of the same clothing as he did with the bank robberies.

Halpern: The FBI worked with local police to track down Mara’s address. Then, they set up surveillance.

Termyn: When they were doing the surveillance, Michael Mara was robbing a bank.

Halpern: When Mara returned from the robbery, law enforcement was there to arrest him. But…

Termyn: He barricaded himself in the residence; there was a six-hour standoff. Mara eventually surrendered.

Halpern: Mara was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $84,000 in restitution