FBI Seeks Public’s Help in Identifying ‘The Plaid Bandit’

The FBI and the San Francisco Police Department are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect dubbed “The Plaid Bandit”, who is linked to four bank robberies in the San Francisco downtown area.

The bandit most recently targeted the East West Bank at the 500 block of Montgomery Street in the Financial District on October 6, 2011. The suspect walked into the bank, brandished a handgun and verbally demanded money from the teller. The bandit then left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

The suspect is also possibly linked to three other robberies in San Francisco:

• U.S. Bank on July 27, 2010
• City National Bank on June 21, 2010
• Bank of the West on June 10, 2010

Witnesses have described the bandit as a white male in his 50s, 5’6” to 5’8”, 150 to 160 lbs, with a slim build. He has short white hair and wears tinted eyeglasses. He was also observed with a cane on one occasion and he is known to wear plaid shirts.

This investigation is being conducted jointly by FBI San Francisco and the San Francisco Police Department. Anybody with information as to the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is urged to contact the FBI.

The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at 415-553-7400 in the San Francisco area. All calls are confidential.

Bank surveillance photos of the suspect are available and attached to this press release.

Members of the media should call Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn at 415-553-7450.

East West Bank, San Francisco, CA, October 6, 2011