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Search continues for Lunch Break Bandit in Valley bank robberies
Posted
The FBI and local authorities continue to seek the public's help in identifying a bank robber dubbed the "Lunch Break Bandit."
The suspect is believed to be in his 40s or 50s, 5 feet 6 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall, medium build, white and was last seen wearing a gray windbreaker-style jacket, dark-colored shorts, a blue hat with a wig underneath, black sunglasses, and white shoes. The suspect has also been seen wearing a black hat, black sunglasses, a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and white shoes.
He was reportedly armed with a handgun in some of the robberies.
The FBI said the Lunch Break Bandit is now suspected of committing nine bank robberies throughout the Valley since February. The most recent bank robbery occurred Oct. 12. The FBI had first alerted the public of the robber back in April when four robberies were connected to him. Since then, he has reportedly robbed five more banks.
FBI
The suspect is named the Lunch Break Bandit due to the robberies mostly occurring between noon and 12:30 p.m.
The FBI said the suspect typically targets banks insidde grocery stores. In each robbery, he was armed with a handgun, provided a demand note, and left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
No one was physically hurt during the robberies.
The FBI is releasing video of the suspect, and Wells Fargo Bank is offering an increased reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of this individual.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect can contact the FBI's Phoenix Field Office at 623-466-1999, or may submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. People may also contact Silent Witness at 480-948-6377.
Lunch Break Bandit locations
Peoria: US Bank/Safeway, 12320 N. 83rd Ave. around 12:30 p.m. Feb. 21
Litchfield Park: US Bank/Albertson's, 12970 W. Indian School Road around 12:10 p.m. March 12
Peoria: Alaska Federal Credit Union/Safeway, 10641 W. Olive Ave. around 12:10 p.m. April 3
Mesa: Wells Fargo/Safeway, 1225 W. Guadalupe Road around 12:10 p.m. April 13
Phoenix: Wells Fargo/Bashas, 10631 N. 32nd St. around 11:30 a.m. June 12
Phoenix: Wells Fargo, 6525 W. Happy Valley Road around noon Aug. 10
Phoenix: US Bank/Safeway, 6501 E. Greenway Road around 10:10 a.m. Aug. 26
Mesa: Wells Fargo/Safeway, 1225 W. Guadalupe Road around 10:10 a.m. Aug. 28
Gilbert: Wells Fargo/Safeway, 90 S. Val Vista Drive around 10 a.m. Oct. 12
