Reckless Robber Hits Wells Fargo Bank in Central Austin

Another serial bank robber has targeted Austin.  The FBI says he is responsible for at least 15 bank robberies in Houston and has evaded arrest since last year, despite numerous public ads and exposure.

Police say the bank robbery at the Wells Fargo on 35th Street is the first by the Reckless Robber in Austin.

After at least a year of robbing bank after bank in Houston, authorities are trying to figure out why the serial bank robber has now decided to visit the Capital City.

About 10:30 Wednesday morning, the suspect walked into the Wells Fargo Bank, demanded cash, and left.  The FBI says until now, he targeted Houston banks. 

His method of operation always the same.

"He basically takes over the bank, he brandishes a handgun, he points at everyone, anybody and everybody that is in that bank, regardless if you're a man, woman, child, virtually takes over the bank and robs them," said FBI Special Agent Dennis May.

May, also says the Reckless Robber is violent, bold, uses a real gun, and has even taken hostages.  

He is described as a white or hispanic man with dark brown hair about 6 feet tall with a medium to heavy build - round face and pale skin.

May says they are very concerned about this suspect.

"He has numerous bank robberies on a given day, he's excalating as far as his actions inside the bank as far as violence goes, he's very aggressive, he's forceful."

May says despite putting the suspect's picture up on digitial billboards in Houston, using the media there and even the national networks, there has not been a single lead.

The FBI suspects the serial bank robber is not from the Central Texas area.   Just why he decided to leave Houston and come to Austin is what authorities are investigating.

"When a bank robber targets a certain area, in this case Houston, and it gets upwards of 15 robberies, his picture is in the local media, networks and after a while, they're thinking maybe my time has come to move elsewhere. Of course the other idea is the day before Thanksgiving, maybe he's traveling to see family and friends someplace outside of Houston."

This case remains under investigation by APD Robbery detectives. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Robbery tip line at (512) 974- 5092 or CrimeStoppers at (512) 472-8477. This is the 18th bank robbery of 2009.
 

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