DRAPER, Utah, Dec. 8, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Police are searching for a serial robbery suspect they have dubbed the “bucket list bandit.”
Based on the similarities between five cases and the description of the suspect, the Sandy, Draper, Murray and Unified police departments, and the FBI, believe the same suspect is responsible for all of the robberies. Each robbery happened at around 6 p.m., between Nov. 4 and Dec. 7, at hotels, banks or credit unions.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 50 to 60 years of age, heavyset, with gray hair. His outfit was different in each robbery, but he was wearing some of the same individual items.
On Nov. 4, Sandy PD responded to a robbery at the Hampton Inn at 10690 South Holiday Park Drive. The suspect had walked in and handed the clerk a note demanding cash. He was described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, a green baseball cap and khakis. The clerk noted the suspect had a “unique gait.” The suspect left with the cash. There were no injuries.
On Nov. 9, officers with the Unified Police Department responded to a robbery at the Staybridge Suitesat 747 West Blue Vista Lane in Midvale. The suspect had given the clerk a threatening note demanding money. In this incident, the suspect was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a green baseball hat, a white polo shirt with black and orange stripes and stonewashed jeans with holes in them.
On Nov. 10, Murray police responded to a bank robbery inside the Fresh Market at the Wells Fargo Bank at 5632 South 900 East. The suspect pounded on the counter and demanded money. He was described as wearing a blue sweatshirt, a dark colored baseball hat and dark pants.
On Dec. 7, Sandy Police investigated a bank robbery that occurred inside the Smith’s at the U.S. Bank, 10305 South 1300 East. The suspect produced a note demanding cash and intimated that he had a gun on his side. The suspect was described as wearing a gray Nike sweatshirt, ripped denim jeans, tan and green baseball hat and glasses.
Fifteen minutes later, Draper Police Department officials said a man entered the America First Credit Union located inside the Harmons Grocery Store at 672 East 11400 South between 6:55 p.m. and 7:03 p.m.
Police said the suspect carried a bag into the bank, produced a note advising that he was familiar with banking practices and was armed, and he lifted his jacket to display the handle of a black semi-automatic handgun that was tucked into the waistband of his pants. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank. He was last seen walking out of the northeast doors of the Harmons Grocery Store.
The suspect was described as wearing the exact same clothing as in the Sandy bank robbery, a gray Nike sweatshirt, ripped denim jeans, tan and green baseball hat and glasses.
Police said it appears the suspect has progressed to targeting banks and brandishing a weapon. In the last bank robbery in Draper the suspect threatened the teller with violence and said he’d be waiting in the parking lot for anyone who tried to follow him. Police are concerned with the growing level of violence shown by the suspect.
If anyone has information as to the identity of the suspect they are asked to call the UPD Violent Crimes Unit at 385-468-9814, or Sandy, Murray and Draper PD at 801-840-4000.
