“Brazen Bandit” Bank Robber Arrested and Charged

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office; Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office; and Daniel C. Alexander, Chief, Boca Raton Police Department, announced today that Michael Anthony Price, 43, of Coconut Creek, Florida, was arrested without incident yesterday afternoon by the FBI, the FBI’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office in connection with two bank robberies. Price was identified from a Crime Stoppers tip after the tipster saw media reports about the “Brazen Bandit.” This morning, Price was charged in a criminal complaint with bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a), and with the use of a firearm in the commission of each bank robbery, in violation of title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

The first bank robbery took place on the morning of Friday, August 13, 2010, at the PNC Bank, located at 520 South Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida. According to a criminal complaint, Price, wearing a black baseball cap and sunglasses, entered the bank and approached the customer service consultant. Price stated he wished to open an account and then pointed a black revolver at the consultant. He then approached a teller station, placed a backpack on the counter, and pointed his firearm at a victim teller. He asked the teller, “Where are the $100s?” and told her she had “fifteen seconds.” He stole approximately $2,900 in U.S. currency and then left the bank, without injuring anyone.

The second bank robbery took place on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the Amtrust Bank, located at 3600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida. According to the criminal complaint, Price, wearing a black baseball cap, sunglasses, and a bandana covering his mouth, entered the bank carrying a black revolver in his hand. Price vaulted the teller counter, and demanded money from multiple tellers at multiple stations, while brandishing the firearm. In total, he stole approximately $2,051 in U.S. currency. As Price was jumping back over the counter, he shot a sixty-seven year old customer who tried to stop him. After shooting the customer in the neck, Price left the bank, discharging two (2) rounds from his revolver as he fled. The shooting victim was transported by Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue to North Broward Medical Center. He remains in critical but stable condition.

Price appeared for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. The government requested detention and a detention hearing has been set for September 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer.

Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies stated, “I commend the diligent and quick work of the FBI Violent Crime Task Force in locating Michael Price and identifying him as the Brazen Bandit. With the invaluable help of a Crime Stopper tip, a violent bank robber is off the street.”

A complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Boca Raton Police Department. The FBI’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force includes members from the FBI, BSO, Secret Service, and the police departments from the City of Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami Dade. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Linder.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.