October 15, 2014

FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department Seek Public’s Assistance to Identify the Bearded Bandit Bank Robber

The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify an unknown male, nicknamed the Bearded Bandit, who is responsible for robbing the Chase Bank branch located at 1641 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

The Bearded Bandit is also believed to be responsible for the October 7, 2014 bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 685 Saturn Boulevard in San Diego, California.

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at approximately 9:15 a.m., an unknown male robbed the Chase Bank branch located at 1641 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California. The Bearded Bandit used a demand note that asked for a specific amount of money and threatened the use of a handgun. No weapon was seen and no one was injured. After receiving a sum of money the robber left the bank, walking south through the parking lot.

During the Wells Fargo Bank robbery on October 7, 2014, the lone male robber also used a handwritten note, demanding cash, and threatened the use of a handgun.

The Bearded Bandit is described as a white male between 25 to 35 years old standing between 5’8” and 5’10” tall and weighing between 180 to 190 pounds. He has short brown hair that is slightly receding at the front. During the October 7, 2014 robbery, he had a full brown beard, while he only had a goatee during the October 14, 2014 robbery. In both robberies, he wore a long-sleeved, buttoned-down shirt and long pants.

For more information on the Bearded Bandit and other bank robberies, visit https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Witnesses describe the robber as follows:

  • Sex: Male
  • Race: White
  • Age: Late 20s to early 30s
  • Height: Between 5’8” and 5’10”
  • Weight : 180 to 190 pounds
  • Build: Average
  • Hair: Dark brown
  • Clothing: Long-sleeved, buttoned-down shirt and long pants
  • Weapon: Threatened a handgun

Bank surveillance photographs from the Chase Bank, located at 1641 South Melrose Drive, Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014:

The FBI and San Diego Sheriffs seek assistance to identify an unknown male, nicknamed the Bearded Bandit, who is responsible for robbing the Chase Bank in Vista. Suspect robbing the Chase Bank, located at 1641 South Melrose Drive, Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also believed to be responsible for the October 7, 2014 bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 685 Saturn Boulevard in San Diego, California.

Suspect robbing the Chase Bank, located at 1641 South Melrose Drive, Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also believed to be responsible for the October 7, 2014 bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 685 Saturn Boulevard in San Diego, California. Suspect robbing the Chase Bank, located at 1641 South Melrose Drive, Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also believed to be responsible for the October 7, 2014 bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 685 Saturn Boulevard in San Diego, California.

Bank surveillance photographs from the Wells Fargo Bank, 685 Saturn Boulevard, San Diego, California, on Tuesday, October 7, 2014:

Suspect robbing the Wells Fargo Bank, 685 Saturn Boulevard, San Diego, California, on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also responsible for robbing the Chase Bank branch located at 1641 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Suspect robbing the Wells Fargo Bank, 685 Saturn Boulevard, San Diego, California, on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also responsible for robbing the Chase Bank branch located at 1641 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Suspect robbing the Wells Fargo Bank, 685 Saturn Boulevard, San Diego, California, on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. The Bearded Bandit is also responsible for robbing the Chase Bank branch located at 1641 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

Anyone with information concerning this robbery is asked to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 320-1800, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. This robber should be considered armed and dangerous.