‘Cookie Bandits’ Suspected In As Many As 30 Robberies In Dallas Area

Dallas FBI is looking for two men believed responsible for as many as 30 armed robberies in the past five months in the Dallas area.

Because the men often take snack foods, including cookies, in addition to money, the FBI has nicknamed them the “Cookie Bandits.”

The robberies occurred between Oct. 2 and Feb. 24 in Dallas, Garland, Mesquite and Seagoville, mostly at fast food sandwich restaurants.  They have also occurred at convenience stores, discount stores and other types of restaurants, the FBI said.

Their typical mode of operation is to run into the business through the front doors, leap over the cashier’s counter and demand cigarettes, money and snacks, including cookies, according to Chron.com.. Although the men carry handguns, the FBI has received no reports of physical injuries to date.

The men are believed to be in their 20s. They are believed to weigh about 180 pounds. One is about 6′ 2″ and the other is about 5′ 8.”

Typically seen wearing jeans, gloves and dark hoodies, the men keep their faces hidden by tightly pulling their hoods closed.  In some robberies, one of the men wore red gloves, says the Houston Chronicle.

More here:

http://starlocalmedia.com/mesquitenews/news/cookie-bandits-sought-by-dallas-fbi-task-force/article_bc8785f8-bd35-11e4-ac76-b3711325d22e.html

Bank Robber Dresses As Terrorist

A man dressed as a terrorist is wanted for five actual robberies and one attempted robbery in four states between February of 2012 and this past August. The man’s nickname is “The AK-47 Bandit.”

Police believe the variety of surveillance video from the robberies—and a voice recording—may help the public identify this criminal. “We truly believe that someone knows this suspect, whether they are familiar with his physique, his voice, his vehicle, or even some of the apparel he’s wearing during the robberies,” said Bill Lewis, assistant director in charge of our Los Angeles Field Office during a 2013 press conference announcing the reward offer.

The AK-47 Bandit is believed to have called in a false bomb threat before his February 29, 2012 bank robbery in Chino, California.

Anyone with information about the AK-47 Bandit’s identity or whereabouts is urged to contact investigators at the toll-free number 1-800-CALL-FBI or send an e-mail to bandit@chinopd.org. Information can be provided confidentially.

Bank surveillance photographs of the vehicle and the suspect can be found at the Chino Police Department’s website: http://www.chinopd.org. Additional bank surveillance photos and videos can be found on the FBI’s wanted poster.