Manhunt On For 'Americas Bandit,' Alleged Accomplice, Wanted In Multiple NYC Bank Robberies
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - An alleged modern-day Bonnie and Clyde remained on the run Monday night, after a string of bank robberies in Manhattan.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, the alleged prolific bank bandits seem like such a pleasant couple at first glance. Both are in their 50s, and he is fond of sunglasses while she has a winning smile.
But the NYPD and the FBI are anxious to catch the pair in connection with a series of bank robberies in all seasons.
The FBI-NYPD Violent Crimes Task Force is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the male suspect who has been dubbed the "Americas Bandit."
"It's an unusual case, in that three of the cases last year -- two in September, one in December -- and then it goes dormant for about six months," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. "So, older couple -- we don't think they're snowbirds, obviously."
According to authorities, at least one of the suspects robbed a total of six banks between September 2015 and July 9, 2016.
The man started on his own, police said. He worked banks along Sixth Avenue, or Avenue of the Americas, authorities said.
The suspect struck the Chase Bank at 340 Sixth Ave. on Sept. 23 and 25, the Citibank at 395 Sixth Ave. on Dec. 21, and the Bank of America at 670 Sixth Ave. on June 27.
The FBI believes the suspect struck again at the NorthEast Community Bank, at 242 W. 23rd St., on July 5.
The most recent incident occurred on July 9, where the suspect struck a Chase Bank on 204 W. 4th St.
The man makes a casual attempt at disguise in the robberies, authorities said.
The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-50s, standing about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 180 to 190 pounds. He wore glasses and some type of hat in many of the instances and sometimes wore the hat backwards, the FBI said.
"Hats, he'll have a goatee and salt-and-pepper hair -- it looks like he's bald," said FBI Agent-in-Charge Michael Harpster.
Lately, it looks like the man has an accomplice, authorities said. About the time the man's companion started appearing with him, he also began to display what appears to be a small-caliber automatic weapon.
The suspects are not making off with much money in the robberies.
"They don't get a lot; it's not a big score like you see in the movies," Boyce said. "It's usually $2,000 at the most at a time," Boyce said.
In all six robberies, the combined the take has been less than $10,000.
But police and the FBI are still worried, Boyce said, because of "the gun."
Because all the robberies have happened along the West Side and close to mass transportation, police believe the couple may be form New Jersey.
Anyone with information is asked to call the New York office of the FBI at (212) 384-5000, or the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.