FBI seeks the public's help to catch Arizona's 'Thou Shalt Not Steal Bandit'

PHOENIX - The FBI announced Tuesday that they are seeking the public's help in identifying the "Thou Shalt Not Steal Bandit".

The "Bandit" is suspected of robbing numerous Phoenix-area banks beginning in 2009.  

According to the FBI, during the first two robberies, the "bandit forcibly entered the businesses next to the banks before the banks opened, and then cut holes in the dry wall of the connecting wall to enter the banks.

Officials said that during the third and fourth robberies, the suspect cut holes in the exterior wall, and the roof of the banks to get inside before they opened.

The suspect then waited inside each bank until the employees arrived, and forced them an gunpoint to retrieve the cash, according to the FBI.

Before he fled, he blindfolded the employees and tied them with flex ties.

On July 3, 2012, the "Bandit" entered a Chase Bank in Peoria, and after leaving what appeared to be a phone taped to sticks of dynamite, threatened to blow up the branch if the employees did not leave money in a desert wash area north of the branch.

FBI officials described the suspect as a White or Hispanic male aged between 28 to 40 years old, standing between five-feet-six and five-feet-ten-inches tall, and weighing about 150 to 180 pounds. Officials said he most recently wore a camouflage ski mask with goggles or sunglasses, a black zippered jacket, long sleeve shirt, dark pants, motorcycle gloves and tennis shoes.

Officials also said that the suspect may have military experience, and that he seems to be familiar with bank security systems.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 602-466-1999 or online at www.BanditTrackerArizona.com .