Watch CBS News

FBI, NYPD Search For 'Holiday Bandit' In NYC

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- The suspected "Holiday Bandit" was still on the loose Tuesday.

Police said the man entered a Sovereign Bank at 24-29 Jackson Avenue in Queens on December 30, 2010 around 3:23 p.m. They said he brandished a black handgun and robbed the bank. This was the bandit's third suspected armed robbery.

That incident was being investigated by the Joint Bank Robbery Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents and NYPD detectives.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 6' to 6'2"' tall, about 35-years-old and around 200 lbs. He was seen wearing a black hat, black ear muffs, dark sunglasses, a black winter jacket, and dark blue jeans.

"This is no way to ring in the New Year" said Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez. ""This repeat offender needs to be caught after committing such a dangerous and violent crime.  Someone, somewhere, knows something and we need them to speak up."

Two other robberies occurred in Ridgewood Savings Bank at 8522 Third Avenue in Brooklyn on December 23 and in Sovereign Bank at 35-10 Broadway in Astoria on December 9, of the same year.

Authorities were asking the public for any information. Anonymous tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the FBI at 212-384-1000.

There was a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

The Joint Bank Robbery Task Force, operating since 1979, was the longest continually operating task force in the history of the FBI and investigates major violent crime.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.