Serial Bank Robber Captured on Video: Police

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BETHESDA, MD — Could a man suspected of robbing banks in Bethesda and Kensington within half an hour be a serial criminal involved in three more robberies dating back to 2012?

Montgomery County Police detectives believe so.

On Thursday, authorities investigating two bank robberies that happened on the same Saturday in February released a surveillance video of the suspect at one of the crime scenes. Police hope the public can help identify the suspect.

On Feb. 13 at 9:18 a.m., police responded to an armed robbery at PNC bank, 10211 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The suspect entered the bank, showed a small handgun, and demanded money. He left the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

A half hour later, at 9:46 a.m., a robbery was reported at the M&T bank at 10420 Montgomery Ave. in Kensington.

Investigators believe the armed suspect from the first robbery held up the second bank. When a witness followed the suspect into a nearby parking lot, the armed robber pointed his gun at the witness and the witness fled back to the bank.

Detectives also believe this suspect robbed three other Bethesda-area banks in recent years:

• January 27, 2012: M&T Bank, 10100 River Road in Bethesda
• January 8, 2014: Capital One Bank, 7340 Westlake Terrace in Bethesda
• December 9, 2014: M&T Bank, 10420 Montgomery Ave. in Kensington

The suspect is described as a white man likely in his 40s or 50s. During the most recent robberies, he was wearing a dark colored, zippered, hooded jacket.

The suspect concealed his face and wore gloves that were dark on the palm and light on the back. Under his jacket he was wearing a brown, checkered dress shirt, khaki pants, and brown dress shoes.

Anyone with information about the bank robbery suspect is asked to call police at 240-773-5070. Tipsters may also call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of this suspect. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

»Surveillance image and video of bank robbery suspect courtesy of Montgomery County Police