'Double Hat Bandit' Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested In Indiana

WHITELAND, IN — A man suspected of at least 13 bank robberies across five states since December 2016, also believed to be the "Double Hat Bandit," was arrested Thursday in Whiteland, Indiana by Indianapolis FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and Whiteland Police Department officials, FBI Salt Lake City reports. Authorities arrested 54-year-old Shayne Carson in the parking lot of a Whiteland motel, and is being charged in a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City with the Dec. 19, 2016 armed robbery of a bank in West Valley City, Utah, the FBI reports. According to FBI officials, Carson is also a suspect in 13 other bank robberies that took place between Dec. 19, 2016 and July 22, 2017 throughout Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho, where he reportedly wore two hats.

FBI officials said Carson had his initial appearance on Friday, Sept. 22 before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, where he was arraigned on the criminal complaint.

Officials anticipate Carson will be transferred to Utah where he will face the bank robbery charge out of Salt Lake City, officials report.

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FBI Salt Lake City adds Carson has been identified as a suspect in bank robberies that took place after July 22, 2017 in Colorado, Iowa, and Ohio, but those cases remain under investigation.

Carson, the Double Hat Bandit, wore a beanie over a baseball cap during his robberies, and would normally hit bank branches located inside grocery stores according to the FBI, and recently reported on Portland Patch.

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The FBI said partners who worked on this case are in Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Iowa, and Ohio, and the Indianapolis FBI Violent Crime Task Force includes members from the FBI, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Carmel Police Department and Fishers Police Department.

More information and robbery dates, locations: FBI Salt Lake City, patch.com/oregon/portland.

Patch editor Travis Loose contributed to this article.

Photo Courtesy: FBI — Oregon