Holiday Bandit Strikes for the Second Time This Week in Seventh Bank Robbery
| FBI New York February 16, 2011 |
It seems all too familiar, but the Holiday Bandit has struck again, robbing his seventh New York bank and his second this week. The FBI-NYPD’s Joint Bank Robbery Task Force is asking the public for help in locating Marat G. Mikhaylich, aka the Holiday Bandit, after he robbed his seventh New York bank this afternoon. Mikhaylich robbed an Investors Savings Bank located at 35-02 Broadway, Astoria, New York, around 1:00 p.m. today. Consistent with his pattern, he entered the bank, displayed a note, brandished a weapon, and demanded cash. He was last seen fleeing on foot.
Mikhaylich is a white male, approximately 6’3” to 6’5” tall, 35 years old, and approximately 200 pounds. He is from the Ukraine and speaks Russian. He often introduces himself to non-Russian speakers as Mark. During the most recent robbery, he was seen wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, and a dark coat.
“The Holiday Bandit continues to raise the stakes, becoming more aggressive and his hold-ups more frequent. We need New Yorkers to be on the lookout for this guy, be vigilant, and call us at 212-384-1000 with any information,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Rourke.
A significant reward is available for a tip that breaks the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI-NYPD’s Joint Bank Robbery Task Force immediately at 212-384-1000 or CrimeStoppers at 800-577-TIPS. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Other banks Mikhaylich has robbed include:
- Capital One Bank, located at 4612 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, February 13, 2011
- Capital One Bank, located at 1411 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York on Friday, February 4, 2011
- Capital One Bank, located at 31-17 Broadway, Astoria Queens, New York on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
- Sovereign Bank, located at 24-29 Jackson Avenue, Queens, New York, on Wednesday, December 30, 2010
- Ridgewood Savings Bank, located at 8522 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, December 23, 2010
- Sovereign Bank, located at 37-10 Broadway, Astoria Queens, New York, on Thursday, December 9, 2010