Spike in Armed Bank Heists Across NY: FBI
WNBC's Jonathan Dienst Reports
They use assault weapons, fake bombs and handguns. They are the suspects behind numerous armed hold-ups of banks across the New York region.
The FBI has given them names like the "Parkway Bandit"; the "Red Coat Bandit" and the "Yellow Scarf Bandit." They hope clever nicknames plus photos from the heists will lead to a tip that will lead them to the suspects.
The latest holdup was Tuesday night at a Citibank along Fifth Avenue. The so-called "Red Coat Bandit" walked in carrying a box with wires and a detonator claiming it was a bomb. The "Parkway Bandit" has hit 5 times off Queens parkways near Jamaica, Hillside and Flushing neighborhoods. He uses a handgun in the hold-ups.
A woman with a gun has used a yellow scarf to cover her face in her hold-ups earning her the moniker "The Yellow Scarf Bandit." And there was the video WNBC first aired of the machine gun toting robber who targeted a Chase branch in Hastings-On-Hudson.
"These individuals need to be stopped and I encourage everyone to take a hard look at these pictures so we can bring them to justice," said FBI spokesman Rich Kolko.
The FBI asks anyone with information to call them at 212-384-5000 or the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Jonathan Dienst WNBC
Jonathan Dienst WNBC
