'Bearded Bank Bandit' strikes again in Houston

HOUSTON – The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying the “Bearded Bank Bandit,” who has robbed at least two Chase banks in Houston.

The latest robbery was reported at 9:20 a.m. Saturday at a Chase in the 13000 block of Bellaire Boulevard.

Investigators said the robber walked in wearing his usual “James Harden-like beard” costume and waited in line. He then grabbed an employee who tried to assist him, pushed his gun into her side and demanded $10,000 in cash, officials said.

Investigators said the teller gave him an undisclosed amount of money, and he left. There were no injuries reported, officials said.

Houston police Sgt. David Helms said this robber is very dangerous, because his gun could go off with a sudden move.

"One false move of a victim or a complainant, that gun can go bang. And we're not talking about a robbery any more. We are talking about a potential homicide," Helms said.

Investigators believe the “Bearded Bank Bandit” is responsible for another Chase bank robbery that happened at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 31, 2016, at 1102 Silber Road.

"It's obvious that this beard that he's donning is very fake. This last robbery this past Saturday, as he's exiting they say that this (beard) is flapping in the wind ...It's obvious that it's a disguise," Helms said.

Investigators said a man with the same description walked in the bank, verbally demanded $50,000 in cash and threatened the teller with a gun. The teller gave the robber an undisclosed amount of money and he left on a bicycle, officials said. No injuries were reported.

The bank robber is described as a medium-built black man about 30 years old, between 5 feet tall and 10 inches and 6 feet, and weighing between 150 and 165 pounds. Investigators said during the last robbery he was wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt and beige baseball cap. Investigators said that on Dec. 31  he wore a dark-colored, hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap. Witnesses told police he has shoulder-length braids or dreadlocks and carried a black handgun.

"With this particular suspect, what's so dangerous and what's so scary is it's one thing to walk around and carry a gun. It's another thing to have a gun out and pointed at another human being." 

Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the “Bearded Bank Bandit.”  If you have any information, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-8477 or the FBI Houston Field Office at 713-693-5000.


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