“Band Aid Bandit” Arrested

PHOENIX, AZ—Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan Thomas Gray announced today the arrest of Samuel Cresante, age 43.

On January 15, 2010, the Phoenix FBI Bank Robbery Task Force arrested Samuel Cresante without incident in Phoenix, Arizona. Cresante is allegedly wanted for numerous bank robberies in Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek. These bank robberies occurred from June 1, 2009 to January 8, 2010. Cresante allegedly entered a bank at times with a firearm and demanded money while attempting to disguise his self by wearing an arm sling, various bandages on his face, and even using fake blood. In other bank robberies Cresante allegedly used demand notes and continued to alter his appearance.

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, the Mesa Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Scottsdale Police Department, and the FBI. Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Gray stated, “Once again, the success of the bank robbery task force is due to our law enforcement partners working effectively with our agents to get serial bank robbers off our city streets.”