By Craig McKee
- Follow Craig on Twitter
- Follow Craig on Facebook
SAN DIEGO (CBS8) - The serial bank robber known as the 'Geezer Bandit' has remained silent since June 24th, when he robbed a Bank of America in Temecula in Riverside County. But that silence came to an end Friday in Bakersfield, according to the FBI.
"They believe this guy is identical to the Geezer Bandit," said FBI Spokesperson Darryl Foxworth.
FBI investigators say after ten bank robberies here in San Diego County and one in Riverside County; the serial bank robber known as the Geezer Bandit has moved north to Kern County.
"The Geezer Bandit went into the bank, presented a demand note, made a verbal demand for cash to the teller. [He] also displayed a weapon and also threatened the teller with the use of that weapon," said Foxworth.
The latest robbery occurred at around 6:00 p.m. Friday night at a Bank of America in Bakersfield. The teller told agents he appeared to be wearing a Halloween 'Old Man' mask.
"Whether he's wearing a mask or not, it's always a possible," Foxworth said. "If it is a mask it of course could be anyone.
That theory was recently shown by a man who flew from Hong Kong to Canada in a similar old man mask. He changed out of the costume mid-flight after he'd already gone through security in the get up.
This time the Geezer Bandit was wearing a dark blazer, gray pants, black dress shoes and a white fedora instead of the ball cap he's been seen in more often.
Even with the description basically the same every time, investigators say they can't be positive as to who is responsible for the dozen robberies until they have the person in custody.
The one thing investigators are looking at: Why he traveled 230 miles to hit his next target? Is the dragnet closing in or is the Geezer perhaps on the run from the massive news media coverage in the San Diego County area, which in turn makes it more challenging to hit banks here? It's unclear, but the FBI says one thing is clear.
"He is an armed and dangerous individual," adds Foxworth.
