The FBI is looking for information about two men suspected of robbing seven banks in Virginia and Maryland this year.
Most recently, a white man and a black man, both dressed in all black and wearing black masks, robbed a BB&T Bank Wednesday afternoon in Vienna, the FBI said. Forty minutes later, they hit a Wells Fargo Bank in Sterling. One masked robber put his gun to a customer's head, ordered everyone "get down" and demanded money from a bank teller, authorities said.
During each robbery, the "Black Hat Bandits" carried handguns, disguised their faces with fake beards or ski masks, and wore black hats, sunglasses and winter coats.
The robbers are considered armed and dangerous and have become more brazen at each bank robbery, the FBI said. They have threatened bank tellers and customers and attempted to access bank vaults by jumping teller counters.
Authorities said the "Black Hat Bandits" are responsible for robberies at these banks:
- Jan. 2, 2015: Bank of America in McLean, Va.
- Jan. 16, 2015: BB&T in Fairfax, Va.
- Jan. 20, 2015: Bank of America in Vienna, Va.
- Jan. 30, 2015: Essex Bank in Arnold, Md.
- Feb. 5, 2015: SunTrust Bank in Waldorf, Md.
- Feb. 18, 2015: BB&T in Vienna, Va.
- Feb. 18, 2015: Wells Fargo in Sterling, Va.
The FBI is offering up to $30,000 for information leading to finding and convicting the robbers. Law enforcement advises customers and bank employees to do as they are told during a robbery and not take action against robbers.
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The Washington and Baltimore Field Offices are asking anyone with information to call the FBI at 202-278-2000 or 410-265-8080, or submit a tip online.
