FBI, police seek help in string of robberies

A witness told police the driver of a pickup had to slam on the brakes and swerve to avoid hitting the suspected ‘AK-47 bandit’ vehicle

November 16, 2012 04:59 AM

By Ruth Brown
Idaho Falls Post Register

REXBURG, Idaho — Rexburg police officers are searching for the driver of a sky-blue pickup truck who may have encountered the “AK-47 Bandit” last week.

Capt. Randy Lewis said the driver of the pickup may have seen a dark gray Nissan Maxima driving recklessly around 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Police believe the driver of the Nissan is the same person who robbed East Idaho Credit Union’s Rexburg branch.

A witness told police the driver of the sky-blue pickup had to slam on the brakes and swerve to avoid hitting the Nissan at the intersection of Trejo Street and South Yellowstone Highway.

The Nissan driver reportedly ran a stop sign directly in front of the pickup, Lewis said. Police want to question the pickup driver, as well as anyone else who may have witnessed the near collision.

FBI agents believe the man who robbed the credit union’s Rexburg branch last week is a bank robber known as the AK-47 Bandit. He is suspected in several other robberies, including a February holdup in California in which he wounded a police officer.

The man who robbed the Rexburg credit union wore a mask, black gloves, black coat with a hood and baggy Levi jeans. After herding employees into a vault, he fled in a dark-colored sedan on South Yellowstone Highway.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible robbing the credit union and committing the other robberies.

Additionally, East Idaho Credit Union is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery or near collision is asked to contact the Rexburg Police Department at 359-3008 or 359-3020. Those with information also can contact the Madison County dispatch center at 356-5426.

Information about the robberies can also be sent to the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division, which oversees FBI operations in Idaho, at (801) 579-1400. Tips also can be emailed to SaltLakeCity@ic.fbi.gov