The FBI Knoxville’s Safe Streets Task Force believes the man responsible for the most recent bank robberies in Jefferson City and Strawberry Plains may be responsible for seven additional bank heists and at least one pharmacy robbery dating back to 2009. The first known robbery was in 2009 at a bank in White House, Tennessee until two in Jefferson and Knox Counties earlier this month.

From 2009 through 2012, the known robberies were confined to White House, Franklin, and Gallatin in Middle Tennessee. Known robberies in East Tennessee commenced in 2014, in Farragut, Jefferson City, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville.

In all seven bank robberies, the “Too Tall Bandit” walked behind or jumped over the teller counter, threatened bank employees with a handgun (held in his right hand), and instructed bank employees to help him place money from the vault and teller drawers into a bag or backpack he brings with him. The suspect then instructs bank employees to identify monetary security measures. Before leaving, he then orders them to lie on the floor.

When possible, the robber exited the rear of the bank and was not observed in a getaway vehicle. In the robbery of Farragut Pharmacy on December 18, 2014, the suspect walked behind the pharmacy counter and instructed employees to place prescription opioids into a bag the robber brought with him, similar to the bank robberies.

While victim and witness descriptions vary slightly, they generally agree the “Too Tall Bandit” is a white male, approximately 40 years old, standing 6'3” to 6'6” tall, 210 to 250 pounds, possibly with brown eyes. He speaks with a deep voice, and walks with a limp or unusual gait affecting his right leg. The robber wears dark-colored clothing, dark-colored gloves and work boots or shoes, and wears a Halloween style mask or other face covering to obscure his identity. The suspect speaks with a non-southern accent

Anyone with information regarding these crimes should call the FBI Knoxville Field Office at (865) 544-0751 or submit a tip online at: https://tips.fbi.gov

Additional information, photos, and video may be available when updated at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2017-11-27.1362429344.

Below is a list of bank and business robberies for which the FBI believes the “Too Tall Bandit” may be responsible:

• 11/27/2009
  Volunteer State Bank
  White House, TN
• 11/12/2010
  Sumner Bank & Trust
  Gallatin, TN
• 11/09/2012
  SunTrust Bank
  Franklin, TN
• 03/31/2014
  First Tennessee Bank
  Farragut, TN
• 11/24/2014
  Tri-Summit Bank
  Jefferson City, TN
• 12/18/2014
  Farragut Pharmacy
  Farragut, TN
• 11/13/2015
  Home Federal Bank
  Pigeon Forge, TN
• 10/27/2016
  Capital Bank
  Farragut, TN
• 11/24/2017
  BB&T Bank
  Jefferson City, TN
• 11/24/2017
  Citizen’s National Bank
  Knoxville, TN

The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of several local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies, including the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office locally, who partner to attack emerging crime issues in East Tennessee.