STAFF REPORTS
(Photo Courtesy: FBI)
Chino – The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $100,000 reward offered in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the AK-47 Bandit, who is linked to the robberies of six banks in four states, and the attempted murder of a Chino Police Officer using an assault rifle.
FBI offices across the nation are announcing publicity efforts and new video relative to a serial bank robber who shot a Police Officer in Chino in 2012 after robbing the California Bank & Trust on Feb. 29. Following this armed robbery, a police offer patrolling the area came upon the suspect fleeing the scene. The suspect fired upon the officer, seriously wounding him. Prior to the bank robbery, a threat was called into the 911 dispatch center from a payphone in the general vicinity of the bank by a male caller. Investigators believe the suspect employed a diversionary tactic in an attempt to delay officers responding to the bank robbery.
The suspect has also been linked to bank robberies in Washington and Idaho, with the most recent incident happening in Nebraska City, Nebraska on Aug. 22.
During this most recent robbery at the First Nebraska Bank, the suspect carried a duffel bag and an assault rifle with a drum magazine similar to the weapon seen in his earlier robberies. The suspect proceeded to remove cash from the tellers’ drawers and directed employees to comply with his demands. The suspect then fled the bank with the stolen cash.
Agents are partnering with multiple agencies across many states, and investigators believe the suspect may continue to travel extensively to commit additional crimes.
The suspect is described as a white male, 25 to 40 years of age, 5’9” to 6’0”, approximately 180 to 230 pounds, with a large, stocky build. He possibly has blue eyes, and speaks with a deep, loud voice that carries no accent. He brandishes an AK-47 automatic assault rifle with a drum magazine. During some of the robberies, the suspect wore a black balaclava-style ski mask, black gloves, and navy blue body armor. He has also been seen with a green mesh vest with the word, “Sheriff,” on the back, and a Sheriff’s star-type badge pinned to the front of his closing. He has been reported to drive a grey, four-door, 2009-2011 Nissan Maxima with dark-tint windows and stock chrome rims, and a red/orange Jeep Liberty or Patriot SUV with a tire mounted on the back.
The suspect has committed crimes including robbery, attempted robbery and/or attempted murder in Chino, California; Sacramento, California; Vacaville, California; North Bend, Washington; Rexburg, Idaho; and Nebraska City, Nebraska.
The reward of up to $100,000 is being offered collectively by multiple entities that each attach a separate set of criteria that must be met in order to be distributed (FBI, up to $50,000; City of Chino, up to $20,000; California Bank & Trust, up to $10,000; and East Idaho Credit Union, up to $20,000.
The FBI is urging residents in all states to take a close look at the photographs and listen to the audio that has been made public. Video, audio, images and additional information can be found by visiting http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/help-us-catch-the-ak-47-bandit.
The suspect is proficient with an assault weapon and will not hesitate before shooting someone to avoid capture. He is considered heavily armed and extremely dangerous. Refrain from taking any independent action. Anyone with information regarding this suspect (or someone that meets the descriptions or has access to this type of gear or weapon), or is familiar with these vehicles, is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI.
