FBI hunts ‘Filter Bandit’

Man wearing dust mask has hit seven banks

MIRAMAR— He wears a dust filter mask, but he doesn’t seem to be working in construction.

Instead, the so-called “Filter Bandit” robs financial institutions at gunpoint, and the FBI suspects he’s responsible for seven bank heists in Broward County between August 2014 and June 16.

His total haul? More than $60,000, according to special agents, who are trying to put a stop to the holdups.

On Tuesday, the FBI’s Miami office announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the Filter Bandit’s arrest and conviction.

“This is somebody who needs to be arrested as soon as possible,” said FBI Special Agent Justin Fleck.

Photos

See a photo gallery of the robber and a map of the banks he has hit. SunSentinel.com/ filterbandit

The robberies happened at banks in Plantation, Tamarac, Coral Springs, and Davie, where the most recent heist went down June 16, investigators said.

Fleck said that the Filter Bandit, whose nickname refers to the dust filter masks he wears to cover his face, also dons gloves, dark pants and a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt during the robberies.

But he handgun.

“Any time we have a bank robber who is waving a gun around a bank, there’s always a chance of the gun going off,” Fleck said.

“So he is definitely a reckless and dangerous individ-

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