Federal Bureau of Investigation

Houston Division

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 31, 2007

FBI HOUSTON PRESS OFFICE
(713) 693-5229
www.fbi.gov

FBI SEEKS IDENTITY OF BAYTOWN'S "COWBOY BANDIT"

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the "Cowboy Bandit" who threatened to be carrying a bomb during the robbery of a Baytown bank earlier this month. The task force is releasing photographs which depict the robber and the alleged bomb he used to threaten tellers at the Woodforest National Bank located at 6209 Garth Road in Baytown, Texas.

At approximately 3:32PM on 12/21/2007, the lone white male entered the bank wearing a cowboy hat, lace-up boots, jeans and a red bandana tied around his neck. While displaying an object resembling a homemade bomb, he passed a note to tellers which read "This is a bomb, hurry up, give me money now!" The teller complied and the "Cowboy Bandit" calmly picked up the object and walked out of the bank with the cash. Bank surveillance photographs depict the "Cowboy Bandit" and the alleged bomb he carried into the bank. The alleged bomb was described as unknown objects connected with colored wires and black tape.

The "Cowboy Bandit" is described as a white male, approximately 22 to 29 years old, 5'07", with a medium build and an unshaven mustache, goatee or beard. He wore a cowboy hat, red bandana, dark colored Nautica brand jacket, light colored shirt, jeans and lace-up boots. He also wore black gloves and dark glasses during the robbery. The "Cowboy Bandit" possessed a unique tattoo on his neck which displayed the initials "PB" or PNB" in red ink. Tellers advised the tattoo may have been homemade.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this bank robber. If you have any information regarding this case, please call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.