FBI Offers $10,000 Reward In 'Christmas Eve Bandit' Search
BOSTON (CBS) – The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the so-called "Christmas Eve Bandit."
A man armed with an assault rifle while wearing a black mask and dark clothes robbed the First Citizens Federal Credit Union on Winthrop Street in Taunton December 24.
According to investigators, he said "Merry Christmas," followed it with an obscenity, and then ordered the tellers to empty their cash drawers and fill a black duffle bag with money.
"The individual was armed with an assault rifle with a banana clip capable of shooting a 7.62 millimeter round, possibly an AK-47," the Boston office of the FBI said in a statement Monday.
"During the robbery, the suspect pointed the rifle in the direction of the bank employees as they complied with his demand. One bank employee in the area of the drive-up teller window moved causing the suspect to fire a round into the wall."
The bandit ran off and is considered armed and dangerous.
Peter Kowenhoven, an assistant special agent in charge in the FBI's Boston division, said the robbery showed how dangerous the individual is.
"It's shocking any time somebody walks in with a weapon, let alone a rifle which is difficult to conceal," he said. "I don't know the intent at the time, and exactly what was going on, however anybody that fires a round inside a bank is escalating the situation very quickly."
The age and race of the suspect are unknown, the agency said.
"We don't know who this person is and we haven't seen this signature of a bank robbery where a weapon of this type was utilized," Kowenhoven said.
The FBI released surveillance photos Monday and posted video of the robbery on its website, hoping someone recognizes him.
Anyone with information should call the FBI at 617-742-5533 or Taunton Police at 508-821-1475. Tips can also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov.
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON
