Search For 'Straw Hat Bandit,' Serial Bank Robber, Ends With Arrest Of Bucks County Man

A serial bank robber who came to be known as the "straw hat bandit" has been arrested by the FBI in connection with 11 robberies in Bucks and Montgomery County, authorities announced Thursday. Richard Boyle, 57, of Doylestown stole nearly a half million dollars in the robbery spree between 2012 and 2016, the FBI said. He has been charged with 11 counts of bank robbery, 10 counts of using or carrying a firearm and 10 counts of money laundering.

Robberies included banks in Wrightstown, Horsham, Yardley, Ambler, Royersford and more. The most recent one was in July 2016 in North Wales. He had already been convicted and served prison time for eight additional robberies in 2007 and 2008, court records and multiple media reports show.

The most recent indictment alleges that Boyle laundered a portion of the $495,686 in proceeds from the robberies through his aerial photography business, in an attempt to hide the source of these funds. The Philadelphia Inquirer identified the business as Sky Eye View.

Boyle has been arrested in connection with the following bank robberies:

• June 8, 2012 – Colonial American Bank; 300 Welsh Road - Horsham
• September 28, 2012 – First Federal Bank; 803 Park Avenue - Wrightstown
• January 18, 2013 – Wells Fargo Bank; 706 Stony Hill Road - Yardley
• March 30, 2013 – PNC Bank; 1015 South Bethlehem Pike - Ambler
• May 24, 2013 – Harleysville Savings Bank; 1889 East Ridge Pike - Royersford
• May 24, 2013 – Univest Bank; 4285 Township Line Road - Schwenksville
• August 30, 2013 – Wells Fargo Bank; 25 West Skippack Pike - Ambler
• January 2, 2014 – First Priority Bank; 10 Sentry Parkway - Blue Bell
• January 6, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank; 481 West Germantown Pike - Plymouth Meeting
• July 3, 2015 – Wells Fargo Bank; 1675 Limekiln Pike - Dresher
• July 2, 2016 – PNC Bank; 1216 Welsh Road - North Wales

The arrest marks years of searching for the suspect, who would conceal his face during the robberies using a mask, pillowcase, or bandana. He came to be known as the "straw hat bandit" because at the time of the robberies, he wore a variety of hats, including a large straw hat, dark-colored bucket hat, and black baseball cap.

Vehicle descriptions for the suspect varied. Authorities say they believed he owned or have access to a Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra pickup truck with a white cap over the bed. He also may have owned or had access to a Volvo sedan and a BMW sedan.

The following law enforcement agencies assisted the FBI with the investigation: Horsham Township Police Department; Newtown Township Police Department; Lower Makefield Township Police Department; Upper Dublin Township Police Department; Upper Providence Township Police Department; Pennsylvania State Police; Whitpain Township Police Department; Plymouth Township Police Department; Montgomery Township Police Department; Warminster Township Police Department Montgomery County District Attorney's Office; and Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Livermore.

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PHOTO: FBI