"Weatherman Bandit" (FBI)LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Investigators believe a man dubbed the "Weatherman Bandit" is responsible for at least eight recent bank robberies in the Las Vegas area.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation described the suspect as white, 50-60 years old, about 5'8" to 6', 180-200 pounds with gray hair.
Authorities said the suspect garnered the nickname because he always comments on the weather with the bank teller during the robbery.
No weapon was shown and the suspect used a note to carry out his crimes.
Agents believe the same suspect was responsible for a number of hold-ups in Las Vegas and Henderson.
According to the FBI, the following places were held up on these dates:
- Oct. 15, 2010, Chase Bank, 1000 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson;
- Nov. 30, 2010, Chase Bank, 8174 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas;
- Jan. 13, 2011, Chase Bank, 10624 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson;
- June 15, 2011, US Bank, 10565 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson;
- Sept. 20, 2011, Nevada State Bank, 11590 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson;
- Jan. 10, 2012, Bank of Nevada, 10199 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson;
- Mar. 19, 2012, Citibank, 10211 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson;
- May 23, 2012, Chase Bank, 2585 Anthem Village Dr., Henderson.
FOX5 spoke with customers of two of those branches Thursday including Becky Gonzales.
"When you think bank robber, you think of someone going in violent, but I guess that's the movies. If it's working, it sounds pretty smart, but it does seem crazy," Gonzales said.
When asked if his ears might perk up hearing a conversation about the weather at his bank, Terry Lanphear responded, "No, because I was just in there talking about the weather right now. It's hot."
The FBI is urging anyone with information on the suspect to call the Las Vegas Field Office at 702-385-1281 or submit a tip at LasVegasBankRobbers.com.
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