Groveland Bank Robber Confirmed To Be FBI’s Serial ‘Khaki Bandit’
Sonora, CA — A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an FBI-wanted bank robber dubbed the “Khaki Bandit.”
Working together the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and FBI determined the suspect who robbed Yosemite Bank in Groveland on Tuesday to be the serial bank robber, according to Tuolumne County sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Andrea Benson.
She adds that he is believed to be responsible for more than a dozen bank robberies that have occurred throughout California since 2013, as suspect photos from several of the robberies match the description of the man seen on the surveillance video from the Groveland bank. Too, his modus operandi matches; he is known to enter rural banks armed with a black handgun and approach the teller; demand money and leave after receiving it.
The “Kahki Bandit” is described as a white male between 25-35 years of age; 5’10”-6’0” tall and between 150-170 pounds with an athletic build. At the time of the Groveland robbery, he was wearing a multi-colored beanie; black sunglasses similar to Oakley shades; khaki pants with side cargo pockets; a black windbreaker-style zippered jacket; black footwear; also carrying a beige backpack.
Haul Was Large Cash Stash In A Trash Bag
Sgt. Benson notes that the suspect did not take any hostages or harm anyone and fled the bank on foot with a considerable amount of money using what appeared to be a black plastic garbage bag. He was seen fleeing into a wooded area that led towards Deer Flat Road and it is unknown if, at that point, the man had a vehicle or someone waiting to help him make his getaway.
Following Tuesday afternoon’s incident, reported here, sheriff’s deputies with the assistance of a CHP helicopter and K9 tracking searched the surrounding area. Detectives dusted for fingerprints and collected DNA from inside the bank and sent the evidence to the Department of Justice for processing.
While law enforcement officials believe he has left the area, anyone in the areas of Highway 120, downtown Groveland or Deer Flat Road at the time of the robbery with any information of a suspicious person or vehicle should please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 209 533-5815. To view more surveillance images, click into the image box slideshow.
For more information from the FBI on the suspect, click here. Officials stress the suspect, if seen, should be considered armed, dangerous and not approach him.
