A reward of up to $100,000 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of the subject known as the AK-47 Bandit.   Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the AK-47 Bandit should refrain from approaching the subject and is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. 

The armed bank robber is now linked to four bank robberies in three states, the most recent of which occurred in Idaho on November 7, 2012.  He robbed a North Bend, WA, bank on July 6^th, 2012. 

Following the initial robbery that occurred in Chino, California, on February 29, 2012, the suspect shot a police officer with the Chino Police Department, seriously wounding him.  In each robbery, the suspect brandishes an AK-47–style assault rifle with a drum magazine.  The suspect is seen in bank surveillance video and photographs dressed in tactical gear over a dark-colored, short-sleeve collared shirt and blue pants. He also wears a black full-face ski mask, a blue ballistic vest and/or a green mesh vest marked “Sheriff.”   

The following materials provide details that may enable your audience to help identify the subject:

·         FBI Los Angeles-Chino Police Department press release, with additional details about the North Bend robbery (attached);

·         The FBI’s wanted flier, at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2012-12-07.3681698452;

·         Photos (following email);

·         Vehicle and clothing details, and additional photos (attached “Summary”);

·         Webcam image of one of nine digital billboards between Kent and Everett, WA, being utilized to solicit tips (attached); For this investigation, Clear Channel Outdoor donated billboard space at dozens of locations across Washington, California, and Idaho;

·         Audio file of a 911 call that investigators believe the AK-47 Bandit placed on the day of the Chino bank robbery, attempting to divert law enforcement to a different location (following email);

·         Surveillance video of the North Bend robbery, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=ULxsD5dfozWsM&v=xsD5dfozWsM

·         The FBI’s downloadable 3/30/2012 Podcast on the AK-47 Bandit, at http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/wanted-by-the-fbi-the-ak-47-bandit

·         More information on http://www.chinopd.org

Anyone with information that can help identify this individual is asked to call King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and are eligible to receive an additional cash reward of $1000.00 if the information given leads to an arrest and charge of the person(s) involved. (To be eligible for the Crime Stoppers reward, a person must provide the information through Crime Stoppers.)