Grandpa Bandit - June 1, 2010

KNOXVILLE - The FBI today launched a national electronic billboard campaign trying to identify a suspected serial robber - dubbed the "Granddad Bandit" - who has struck at least 18 banks in 12 states.

Ten of the billboards are in Knoxville where the suspect is believed to have robbed First Bank on Market Street on Feb. 11.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

He is believed to have robbed banks in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New York, Texas and Virginia, dating back to April 2009.

"Working together with Lamar Outdoor Advertising and other electronic billboard owners, we now have the capability to instantly display a wanted suspect's face to an audience of thousands throughout multiple states," said Richard Lambert, special agent in charge of the FBI's Knoxville office.

The man is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or local law enforcement.

He is described as white, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 210-230 pounds, balding and was wearing glasses in some of the robberies.

He usually enters the bank, approaches the teller counter and hands the teller a note demanding money, according to the FBI. He also has threatened to have a weapon and may be driving a silver sport utility vehicle.

This list of locations where banks have been allegedly robbed by the man they’re calling the “Granddad Bandit” was provided by the FBI to The Associated Press:

Jan. 16, 2009, Mobile, Ala.
April 10, 2009, Houston.
April 29, 2009, Atlanta.
May 5, 2009, Roanoke, Va.
June 22, 2009, Beaumont, Texas.
July 3, 2009, Little Rock, Ark.
July 24, 2009, Dallas.
Aug. 7, 2009, Wichita, Kan.
Aug. 21, 2009, Birmingham, Ala.
Sept. 22, 2009, Syracuse, N.Y.
Oct. 2, 2009, Atlanta.
Oct. 16, 2009, Tallahassee, Fla.
Dec. 10, 2009, Fort Smith, Ark.
Dec. 11, 2009, Tulsa, Okla.
Dec. 18, 2009, Marietta, Ga.
Jan. 20, 2010, Jackson, Miss.
Feb. 11, 2010, Knoxville, Tenn.
Feb. 24, 2010, Huntsville, Ala.
April 2, 2010, Atlanta.
April 16, 2010, Mobile, Ala.
May 18, 2010, St. Louis County, Mo.

If you have information about this man, please phone the FBI at 1-800-225-5324