FBI Suspects Recent Bank Robber Responsible for Seven Additional Heists in Middle and East Tennessee
The FBI Knoxville’s Safe Streets Task Force believes the man responsible for the most recent bank robberies in Jefferson City and Strawberry Plains may be responsible for seven additional bank heists and at least one pharmacy robbery dating back to 2009. The first known robbery was in 2009 at a bank in White House, Tennessee until two in Jefferson and Knox Counties earlier this month.
From 2009 through 2012, the known robberies were confined to White House, Franklin, and Gallatin in Middle Tennessee. Known robberies in East Tennessee commenced in 2014, in Farragut, Jefferson City, Pigeon Forge, and Knoxville.
In all seven bank robberies, the “Too Tall Bandit" walked behind or jumped over the teller counter, threatened bank employees with a handgun (held in his right hand), and instructed bank employees to help him place money from the vault and teller drawers into a bag or backpack he brings with him. The suspect then instructs bank employees to identify monetary security measures. Before leaving, he then orders them to lie on the floor.
When possible, the robber exited the rear of the bank and was not observed in a getaway vehicle. In the robbery of Farragut Pharmacy on Dec. 18, 2014, the suspect walked behind the pharmacy counter and instructed employees to place prescription opioids into a bag the robber brought with him, similar to the bank robberies.
While victim and witness descriptions vary slightly, they generally agree the “Too Tall Bandit" is a white male, approximately 40 years old, standing 6'3" to 6'6" tall, 210 to 250 pounds, possibly with brown eyes. He speaks with a deep voice, and walks with a limp or unusual gait affecting his right leg. The robber wears dark-colored clothing, dark-colored gloves and work boots or shoes, and wears a Halloween style mask or other face covering to obscure his identity. The suspect speaks with a non-southern accent
Anyone with information regarding these crimes should call the FBI Knoxville Field Office at (865) 544-0751 or submit a tip online at: https://tips.fbi.gov
Additional information, photos, and video may be available when updated at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2017-11-27.1362429344.
Below is a list of bank and business robberies for which the FBI believes the “Too Tall Bandit" may be responsible:
* 11/27/2009
Volunteer State Bank
White House, TN
* 11/12/2010
Sumner Bank & Trust
Gallatin, TN
* 11/09/2012
SunTrust Bank
Franklin, TN
* 03/31/2014
First Tennessee Bank
Farragut, TN
* 11/24/2014
Tri-Summit Bank
Jefferson City, TN
* 12/18/2014
Farragut Pharmacy
Farragut, TN
* 11/13/2015
Home Federal Bank
Pigeon Forge, TN
* 10/27/2016
Capital Bank
Farragut, TN
* 11/24/2017
BB&T Bank
Jefferson City, TN
* 11/24/2017
Citizen’s National Bank
Knoxville, TN
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of several local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies, including the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office locally, who partner to attack emerging crime issues in East Tennessee.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
