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

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