'Trash Talking Bandits' Linked To 2nd Large Robbery
DENVER (CBS) - The FBI and Wheat Ridge police are hunting for two men who are believed to have stolen approximately $1.5 million in two bank robberies.
FBI officials said the two robberies together are the largest monetary robbery in state history.
Police believe the two men robbed the Wells Fargo Bank at 6000 W. 44th Avenue Tuesday afternoon. The robbers had handguns, wore face coverings and were verbally abusive to the employees during the robbery.
That's the same type of demeanor employees and customers reported during a robbery at a Wells Fargo bank in Westminster in January.
Because of the violent, aggressive behavior, the FBI has dubbed the pair "Trash Talking Bandits."
During the robbery Tuesday, the men got into the vault, taking more than $500,000.
In January the robbers pulled off one of the largest bank heists in Colorado history. They stole close to $1 million when they lept over a counter and got into that bank's vault as well.
RELATED: $50,000 Reward Now Offered For Info That Leads To 'Trash Talking Bandits'
In the Wheat Ridge robbery, the suspects fled in stolen 2004 black Honda Element. The owner of the SUV reported it stolen on the Friday before the robberies. It was taken in Denver near Cherry Street and Hampden Avenue.
READ/VIEW: Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force Bank Robbery Alert (pdf)
The robbers abandoned the Element after the robbery in the west 2600 block of 62nd Avenue and set it on fire.
The FBI says the robbers are armed and dangerous and that it's a top priority to catch them.
Both suspects are described as white or Hispanic, between 18 and 30 years old, with medium build. One is slightly taller than the other, the shorter one is between 5'3" and 5'6", the other between 5'7" and 5'9".
There is a reward for up to $50,000 from Wells Fargo. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,000. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at (303) 629-7171.
