‘SHAKY BANDIT’ BANK ROBBER CAUGHT IN COLLIER
Suspect is chased on Alligator Alley, crashes car.
His shaky hands are known across South Florida, thanks to surveillance footage from the nearly dozen banks he is suspected of robbing.
And on Monday night, the so-called “Shaky Bandit” was arrested on Florida’s west coast after striking again at banks in Palm City and Port St. Lucie earlier in the day, according to authorities.
The FBI said 22-year-old Brandon Venditti was caught in Collier County on Monday evening. With the help of Florida Highway Patrol and Collier County sheriff ’s deputies, the FBI was able to locate Venditti’s possible getaway car along Alligator Alley. Though he did not stop for authorities, he eventually crashed the car and was arrested, according to the FBI.
Another unidentified person was found in the car and also arrested. Venditti is from Weston in Broward County.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Venditti reportedly walked into the Chase Bank on Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard by Southeast Veterans Memorial Parkway, implied he was armed and demanded money.
He repeated the routine less than an hour later at the Wells Fargo Bank on Southwest High Meadow Avenue near Southwest Martin Downs Boulevard in Palm City, according to the FBI.
Customers were in both banks during the alleged robberies. No one was hurt.
Authorities are not releasing how much money he stole.
Federal authorities say it’s likely the “Shaky Bandit” has robbed or tried to rob at least 11 South Florida banks — two on the Treasure Coast, three in Palm Beach County and six in Broward County — since Sept. 27.
His last bank robbery was believed to be last week in Lake Park. Days before, he tried to rob a bank in Jupiter. Earlier, he targeted a Boynton Beach bank.
Previous news releases have described the “Shaky Bandit” as a blond-hair, blueeyed man between the ages of 20 and 25 with sunken eyes and a thin build — about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds.
Authorities say it’s likely he has robbed or tried to rob at least 11 South Florida banks.