It's been a busy week for the so-called "Chubby Bandit."
FBI investigators say the same man, captured in bank surveillance images, is responsible for five bank robberies and one attempted robbery in San Diego County. The most recent robbery occurred on the same day officials publicized the man's photos on local news stations.
Because of the suspect's size, estimated at 180 to 200 pounds, agents have nicknamed the suspect the "Chubby Bandit." He also often wears a baseball hat with a “NY” logo.
Investigators said the first robbery happened Oct. 9 around 5:30 p.m. at a US Bank branch on Scripps Poway Parkway in Poway.
Two days later, a similar suspect description was reported in the robbery at Chase Bank on Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad.
Officials said the same suspect attempted to rob the Chase Bank on Saturday, Oct. 13 on Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach.
The bandit apparently took Sunday off but then struck twice on Monday and Tuesday.
Local
First at the Wells Fargo Bank on North El Camino Real in Encinitas and the following day at the US Bank on Village Drive in Carlsbad.
Then, on Thursday Oct. 18, the suspect is believed to have robbed a bank located inside a Rancho Bernardo grocery store FBI agent Darrell Foxworth told a local television station Friday.
A Wells Fargo bank teller was robbed just before 4:30 at the Vons on Bernardo Plaza Drive.
“We’re also looking at the possibility that he may be involved in other robberies perhaps some commercial robberies,” Foxworth said.
The suspect was described as 25 to 30 years old, with hazel eyes and blonde hair. He was approximately 5-foot-6-inches tall and described by witnesses as “chubby.”
The suspect has used a demand note and made verbal demands and has also verbally threatened and gestured to have a gun during his robberies officials said.
Suspect has worn three different baseball caps with NY logo in the incidents.
The FBI and police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspect or suspects involved. Anyone with information may contact the FBI at (858) 565-1255 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
