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'Back Street Bandit' sought by FBI after three bank robberies

E-mail|Link|Comments () July 22, 2010 03:26 PM

Backstreet bank robber copy.jpg

Bank surveillance photos/FBI

The FBI today released the bank surveillance photos of the alleged bank robber they are calling the "backstreet bandit.''

By Globe Staff

In each of his appearances inside the banks has robbed, he has worn a fedora. Now, the FBI wants to know the name of the man they are calling the "Back Street Bandit.''

FBI spokeswoman Gail A. Marcinkiewicz said there was no connection between the boy band the "Backstreet Boys'' and the serial bank robbery suspect.

"It's just a name we chose for this particular bandit,'' she said.

She said the man is a suspect in a robbery of the Bank of America branch June 14 in Revere, a robbery on June 18 at the Eastern Bank branch on Broadway in Saugus, and a robbery Monday of the Bank of America branch on Centre Street in Malden.

"We know from experience that serial robbers don't stop until they are stopped by law enforcement,'' she said.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 30s who is about 5-foot-4 to about 5-foot-8. He has a goatee and brown hair.

During all three robberies, he wore the fedora and handed tellers a manila envelope while ordering them to hand over money. No weapon was shown. No bank employees were injured. The suspect fled on foot.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association Tip Program is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the suspect's arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force at (617) 742-5533.