PHOENIX (CBS5) -
A suspect dubbed the "Thou Shalt Not Steal Bandit" has cut his way through walls and roofs to gain access to banks he robs when employees show up in the morning, the FBI said.
Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr. said the bandit is behind at least seven bank robberies in the Phoenix metro area since March 24, 2009.
The FBI needs the public's help in identifying and locating the suspect.
In the first two robberies, the man forced entry into the businesses next to the banks prior to opening and then cut holes in the adjoining dry wall to enter the banks, Turgal said.
During the third robbery, the robber entered the bank through a hole he cut in the exterior wall. In the fourth robbery, he accessed the bank through a hole he cut in the roof.
The bandit waits in the bank until bank employees arrive for work, then confronts them with a black, semi-automatic handgun or a silver revolver and forces them to access the money, Turgal said.
He then takes the money and flees the bank after restraining bank employees with blindfolds and flex ties.
At the Alerus Bank and Trust in Scottsdale, the subject entered the bank on a Friday evening and attempted to gain access to the vault himself. After having no success, the subject fled without obtaining any money, Turgal said.
During the last incident on July 3, the man accessed the bank through a hole in the roof and left a phone taped to a device resembling sticks of dynamite inside the bank. He threatened to blow up the bank if the bank employees did not place the bank's money in a desert wash area just north of the bank, Turgal said.
Investigators said they believe the bandit staking out the banks and engages in detailed planning before each of the robberies. The man may have previous military experience and familiarity with bank security systems, the FBI said.
The FBI provided a list of banks the man has held up:
-July 3, 2012: Chase Bank, 28523 N. El Mirage Rd., Peoria
-May 25, 2012: Alerus Bank and Trust, 17045 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
-Sept. 6, 2011: First Fidelity Bank, 6232 N. 32nd St., Phoenix
-Oct. 27, 2010: Johnson Bank, 32621 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
-April 27, 2010: National Bank of Arizona, 7202 E. Carefree Dr., Carefree
-Dec. 11, 2009: Chase Bank, 4819 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix
-March 24, 2009: Chase Bank, 8978 W. Union Hills Dr., Peoria
The bandit is described as a White or Hispanic male between 28 to 40 years old. He is between 5'6" to 5'10" tall and weighs between 150 to 180 pounds. He has most recently worn a camouflage ski mask with goggles or sunglasses, a black-zippered jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, motorcycle gloves and tennis shoes.
The robber has displayed a great deal of calm, at times attempting to reassure frightened victims, the FBI said.
People with any knowledge of who or where he is are asked to contact the FBI at 623-466-1999.
The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the Mesa Police Department.
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Valley bank robber on the loose. (Source: FBI)
The FBI says the bandit is behind at least seven bank robberies in the Phoenix area since March, 2009. (Source: FBI)
