‘Poncho bandit’ may be back, FBI says
Bank robbery suspect wears similar disguise
Is the back?
That’s what the FBI’s special agents are trying to figure out after a bank robbery suspect this week wore a disguise similar to one used by a man who robbed four South Florida banks in 2014.
“We’re looking into the possibility that it may be the same man,” Special Agent Michael Leverock said Thursday.
A BB&T Bank branch at 3564 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale was robbed late Wednesday afternoon by a man who hid beneath a dark green poncho and wore gloves and something covering this face.
He implied he had a weapon and demanded money from a bank employee, the FBI said.
The FBI would not disclose how much money was taken. Though customers were inside the branch during “Poncho Bandit” the 4:15 p.m. one was hurt.
If it is the same man, the FBI offered a $5,000 reward for his capture four years ago, when he was robbing banks in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The FBI’s reward is still being offered for those incidents, which were:
A BB&T bank branch at 8181 NW 154th St. in Miami Lakes was held up on May 15 and a man tried to rob it Nov. 26, 2014;
A Fifth/Third bank branch at 9035 La Fontana holdup, no Blvd. in Boca Raton robbed July 23, 2014;
And a SunTrust Bank branch at 1900 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. in Hallandale Beach was held up twice, on Oct. 2, 2014 and Dec. 12, 2014.
The FBI asks anyone with information about the suspect in this week’s robbery or past holdups to call 754-703-2000 or Broward County Crime Stoppers, at 954-493-8477. Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips and pays up to $3,000 for information that leads to an arrest. was