FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FBI AND GREENSBORO POLICE SEEKNG PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN CAPTURING THE “BLUETOOTH BANDITS;” REWARD BEING OFFERED

 

Charlotte, NC – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Greensboro, North Carolina (NC), Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the individuals who are believed to be responsible for eight (8) bank robberies in the Greensboro area since July 2006. In all of the robberies, the bandits have been armed and well-organized. In fact, during at least two of the robberies, one of the suspects was observed with a Bluetooth wireless device in his ear, which is why the suspects are being dubbed the “Bluetooth Bandits.” It is suspected that the suspect may have been using the device to communicate with others during the robbery.

The Bluetooth Bandits are believed to be responsible for the following robberies:

1. Patrick Henry National Bank, 4004 West Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC, on July 19, 2006, at approximately 10:30 a.m.

2. Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union, 4910 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on August 18, 2006, at approximately 9:43 a.m.

3. Mid-Carolina Bank, 5509-A West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, on September 27, 2006, at approximately 9:45 a.m.

4. First Citizens Bank, 4708 High Point Road, Greensboro, NC, on November 10, 2006, at approximately 10:00 a.m.

5. SunTrust Bank, 612 College Road, Greensboro, NC, on January 5, 2007, at approximately 9:15 a.m.

6. SunTrust Bank, 4636 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on March 15, 2007, at approximately 1:45 p.m.

7. Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union, 4910 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on August 10, 2007, at approximately 10:35 a.m.

8. SunTrust Bank, 7804 National Service Road, Greensboro, NC, on October 25, 2007, at approximately 10:15 a.m.

In six of the eight robberies, at least two black males were observed inside of the bank participating in the robberies. A suspect armed with either a large semi-automatic pistol or a small black revolver initially entered the bank and gained access to the vault. Shortly thereafter, a second suspect entered the bank and maintained control of the lobby while demanding money from the bank tellers. During the September 27, 2007, robbery of the Mid-Carolina Bank, a third black male was observed inside of the bank participating in the robbery.

In all of the robberies, the suspects fled the area in a motor vehicle, although the description of the getaway vehicle has varied from one robbery to the next: a black Honda Accord or Civic, a brown or gold Honda Accord, a light brown or gold Nissan Altima or Toyota Corolla, a black Infiniti, and a black sport utility vehicle (SUV), possibly an Acura MDX.

The investigation has determined that the suspects are two to three back males, 20 – 30 years of age, approximately 5’7” – 11” in height, and weighing between 150 – 170 pounds. In each of the bank robberies, the suspects have used a variety of coverings to disguise their appearances, including hooded sweatshirts, baseball caps, dark-colored bandanas, ski masks, sun visors, and/or sunglasses.

The FBI is releasing the attached images from the surveillance systems of the banks to assist in the identification of the suspects.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is encouraged to contact the Greensboro Resident Agency of the FBI at (336) 855-7770, the Charlotte office of the FBI at (704) 377-9200, or the Greensboro Police Department Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000. Rewards totaling up to $20,000.00 are being offered by the North Carolina Bankers Association, the North Carolina Credit Union League, Crime Stoppers of Greensboro, and Greensboro-area banks and credit unions for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for these robberies.

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Press releases are available within 48 hours of release on the website for the FBI Charlotte Field Office at charlotte.fbi.gov.