FBI seeks suspect in seven bank heists
Published 9:43 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2008
LYNNWOOD — The FBI has yet to give the lanky, 6-foot-tall suspected bank robber a catchy name.
They could call him the “Whoo Hoo” robber, after Washington Mutual’s latest advertising slogan. The man is suspected of robbing seven WaMu branches this month, three in Snohomish County.
Or detectives could come up with a name linked to Fred Meyer grocery stores. Each time the man has struck Washington Mutual branches inside Fred Meyer stores, said Robbie Burroughs, an FBI spokeswoman.
The most recent robbery was late Monday afternoon at the Fred Meyer in the 4600 block of 196th Street SW, Burroughs said.
A man gave a teller a note demanding money and implied he had a gun, she said.
A witness told police the man jumped into an 1980s model white truck with a dark camper top driven by a blond woman, Burroughs said. A pit bull-type dog was seen in the truck.
FBI agents believe the man may also drive a teal or royal blue mid-1990s Subaru station wagon.
Since March 3, the man has struck seven WaMu branches inside grocery stores, Burroughs said.
“They’re all Washington Mutual and they’re all in Fred Meyer,” she said.
On March 11, he hit the branch on the Bothell-Everett Highway in Everett and on March 17, he hit the store on the Bothell end of the same road.
He’s described as tall and slim with a pale complexion and sunken cheeks, she said.
Agents are concerned that the man’s behavior could become violent.
“Somebody’s who robbing this frequently, there’s a certain amount of desperation there,” Burroughs said. “There’s definitely more of a concern when there’s so many in such a short period of time.”
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Help police
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 206-622-0460.
