Federal Bureau of Investigation

Houston Division

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2008

FBI HOUSTON PRESS OFFICE
(713) 693-5229 (713) 693-5015
www.fbi.gov

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is once again seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the “Red Handed Bandit” who is now suspected in at least five area bank robberies. The latest occurred this morning at the Comerica Bank located at 1503 Eldridge Parkway in Houston, Texas. During this robbery, the “Red Handed Bandit” wore a color coordinated blue and white baseball cap and blue and white gloves, but handed a teller a red bag. In previous robberies, he wore red gloves and handed a teller a red towel to place the money in.

During this morning’s robbery, the black male entered the bank alone around 9:15 a.m. and pulled out the red bag from under his shirt, placed it on the counter, and verbally threatened the teller to turn over the cash. The teller, fearing for her life, gave the “Red Handed Bandit” some cash. He then exited the bank on foot. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.

The “Red Handed Bandit” is described as a black male, approximately 26 to 35 years old, 6’ – 6’5”tall, 210-240 pounds with a muscular or athletic build. During this latest robbery, he wore a long sleeved striped tee-shirt, dark colored pants, a blue and white baseball cap, and blue and white colored gloves. In each of the previous robberies, the “Red Handed Bandit” matched the colors of the baseball caps he wore with the colors of the gloves he wore. Previous color combinations included red, black, and white caps and gloves.

The “Red Handed Bandit” is also suspected in the robbery of the Washington Mutual Bank at 14565 Memorial Drive on 01/16/2008, the robbery of the IBC Bank at 1545 Eldridge Parkway on 01/26/2008, the attempted robbery of the Washington Mutual Bank at 13070 Bellaire Boulevard on 02/15/2008, and the robbery of the IBC Bank located inside the Kroger Grocery Store at 10570 Highway 6 in Sugarland, Texas on 03/20/2008.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the charging and arrest of the “Red Handed Bandit”. If you have any information regarding any of these robberies, please call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.