FBI San Diego
Media Coordinator
(858) 320-1800 | SDPublicAffairs@fbi.gov
September 25, 2015

FBI Violent Crime Task Force Seeks the Public’s Assistance to Identify the Hipster Bandit

The FBI, San Diego Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement agencies are seeking the public’s assistance to identify an unknown male bank robber, who is believed to be responsible for two bank robberies dating back to Thursday, July 2, 2015. The latest robbery occurred today with the robbery of the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, on Friday, September 25, 2015. The robber has been dubbed the Hipster Bandit for his manner of dress and the sunglasses he has worn during his robberies.

In today’s robbery the Hipster Bandit is alleged to have robbed the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, at approximately 10:08 a.m. At the time of the robbery, the robber approached the victim teller and feigned to be conducting a legitimate banking transaction by verbally asking the teller for help while handing the teller a demand note for cash. The note stated that he was there to rob the teller and demanded specific denominations. The teller provided the robber with a sum of money which the robber collected in his hands and then walked towards the main entrance/exit of the grocery store.

The Hipster Bandit is also believed to be responsible for robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at approximately 10:07 a.m. During this robbery, the robber sat down at desk in front of the teller’s desk and asked if the teller could help him. The robber then slid a white envelope with writing on it demanding cash. The note also provided instructions on how to package the money. The teller complied with the robber’s demand and provided him with a sum of money. No injuries have been reported in any of the robberies at this time.

Witnesses described the Hipster Bandit as follows:

  • Sex: Male
  • Race: White
  • Complexion: Freckles
  • Hair: Short brown hair
  • Height: Approximately 5’4” tall
  • Weight: Approximately 110 pounds
  • Build: Small/Thin
  • Age: Early 30s
  • Miscellaneous: Protruding ears
  • Clothing: Long sleeved button up shirts and dark round-lens sunglasses

Bank robbery surveillance photographs from U.S. Bank, located inside of Albertsons grocery store, 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, on Friday, September 25, 2015.

The FBI, San Diego Sheriff's Department seek assistance to identify an unknown male bank robber, who is believed to be responsible for two bank robberies.  Unknown suspect robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of Albertsons grocery store, 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, on Friday, September 25, 2015.

Unknown suspect robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of Albertsons grocery store, 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, on Friday, September 25, 2015.  Unknown suspect robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of Albertsons grocery store, 1133 South Mission Road, Fallbrook, California, on Friday, September 25, 2015.

Bank robbery surveillance photographs from the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday July 2, 2015.

Suspect robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday July 2, 2015.  Suspect robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday July 2, 2015.

Anyone with information concerning the Hipster Bandit is asked to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 320-1800 (option 2) or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. You may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.