Alleged Serial Bank Robber Arrested

Tarik Hooks, 35, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody February 22, 2013, by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Philadelphia Police Department.

Hooks is charged by criminal complaint with nine bank robberies, including:

• the February 2, 2013 robbery of Citizens Bank, 121 East City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania;
• the February 7, 2013 robbery of Citizens Bank, 543 North Oak Avenue in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania;
• the February 8, 2013 robbery of Wells Fargo Bank, 65 West Baltimore Avenue in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania;
• the February 9, 2013 robbery of Citizens Bank, 543 North Oak Avenue in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania;
• the February 12, 2013 robbery of TD Bank, 401 West Lancaster Avenue in Haverford, Pennsylvania;
• the February 14, 2013 robbery of Sovereign Bank, 1 Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania;
• the February 14, 2013 robbery of TD Bank, 5501 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• the February 17, 2013 robbery of TD Bank, 5501 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• and the February 21, 2013 robbery of TD Bank, 2200 Garrett Road in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

He is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a magistrate judge today at 1:30 p.m.

Hooks’ arrest follows an investigation by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with the Philadelphia, Aldan, Lansdowne, and Lower Merion Police Departments and other area law enforcement partners.