Suspects dubbed by law enforcement officers as the "bad hatter bandits" have been linked to a fourth bank robbery in the Sacramento area.
The primary suspect in the "bad hatter bandit" robberies entered the Chase Bank at 4117 Elverta Road in Antelope on Thursday and presented the teller with a demand note. During the robbery, the man wore a tan fedora, dark blue dress shirt, striped tie, oversized eyeglasses and black gloves, according to a Federal Bureau of Investigation news release.
This was the fourth robbery of an area Chase Bank branch by the suspects since late November. The branch at 3501 Del Paso Road in Sacramento was robbed Nov. 29 and Jan. 29, and the branch at 1800 Douglas Blvd. in Roseville was robbed Jan. 10.
The Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force seeks the public's help in identifying the primary suspect and his accomplices. Although no weapons were seen during the robberies, authorities said the suspects are considered to be armed and dangerous.
The primary suspect (pictured) is described as an African American man, 5 feet, 7 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with a small build. His clothing has been different in each robbery, but he frequently wears business attire, carries a leather folio and wears one of a variety of hats, including fedoras. When he approached the teller, he indicated he was armed.
A second suspect -- described as an African American man, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with an average build -- accompanied the primary suspect into the bank on Del Paso Road on Jan. 29. This man approached the teller and told her he had a weapon, authorities said.
According to witnesses, additional accomplices have been seen in the getaway vehicles. To date,all vehicles used in the robberies have been stolen, and a different vehicle has been used in each robbery.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to call the FBI in Sacramento at (916) 481-9110, Crime Alert at (916) 443-4357, Roseville Crime Stoppers at (916) 783-7867, or the Roseville or Sacramento police departments. Callers who provide information to Crime Alert or Roseville Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
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