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The 'Sticky Note Bandit' | Source: Facebook.com/FBIHouston
The 'Sticky Note Bandit' | Source: Facebook.com/FBIHouston

Texas Robber Loots 3 Banks in One Month with Only Sticky Notes - FBI Is Seeking Help

Taitirwa Sehliselwe Murape
Jul 19, 2023
06:15 A.M.
  • A Texas robber known as the "Sticky Note Bandit" has managed to rob three banks in just one month using unusual tactics.
  • Though the robber wears a disguise, he has been identified as a male who uses sticky notes to steal money.
  • In their search to locate the man, the FBI is seeking help from the public to make an arrest.
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An unknown criminal who has managed to rob three banks in Houston, Texas, this month is wanted by the FBI. The Houston Violent Crime Task Force stated that the bandit robbed Hancock Whitney Bank in North Loop West on July 5, Wells Fargo Bank in Woodforest Blvd on July 11, and another Wells Fargo Bank located in Bissonet Street in the southwest on July 13.

The bandit is described as a black male who stands at about 5'8" tall with a petite to medium physique. Additionally, the male was seen dressed as a woman, wearing a black bob wig with a fringe, a blue medical mask, a green feminine sweater, black sunglasses, and women's ballet flats. The masked robber was also seen carrying a black purse.

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Photos of the wanted robber were captured by the surveillance cameras situated at the lobbies of the banks he robbed. The times of the robberies over the three days ranged from 12:09 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the bandit arrived and left on foot each time.

The FBI shared the bandit's photos on Twitter and released the information on July 17. However, missing from the details was the exact amount of cash the robber was able to steal from the banks.

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How the 'Sticky Note Bandit' Steals Money by Only Using Sticky Notes

Upon entering the banks each time, the robber, disguised in women's garb, would walk up to bank tellers and pass them sticky notes which had threatening messages that demanded cash written on them. The tactic of only using a note is uncommon as opposed to the usual theft tactics, which involve a letter and weapons. And because no weapons were involved, no one was hurt.

Although he managed to rob the first bank he went to successfully, things turned out differently than how he planned the second time around. Investigators revealed that when he went to loot the first Wells Fargo Bank:

"[The teller] locked themselves in the back room for safety."

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After this happened, it was said that the bandit initially hung around the bank and waited for some time, but after realizing that he would not be able to rob this bank successfully, he quickly fled from the scene.

The third robbery followed the exact pattern as the first two: show up at a bank on foot, disguised in women's clothing, passing a threatening sticky note to a bank teller, and fleeing from the location immediately after acquiring some money. As far as how the man is being referred to, CBS reported:

"The FBI is searching for a man it calls the sticky note bandit."

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The Kind of Help That the FBI Is Asking For

In an effort to apprehend the wanted suspect, the FBI has sent out an urgent request asking for the public's help with the case. They have urged the public to come forward with any information they may know about the Sticky Note Bandit that could help identify and locate him so they can make an arrest.

As it stands, the crime investigative bureau has reached a point in their search for the criminal where they are stuck and, thus, have started seeking outside help. To help with incentives, the FBI is offering a cash reward for any individual bold enough to step forward and assist them with this case.

Additionally, criminals who choose not to involve the use of weapons or violence and manage to steal over $1,000 when robbing a bank can still face up to ten years in prison.

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Their statement announcing the robberies also included how the public could help. The investigators made the following plea:

"Alongside the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff's Office, our investigators are asking for the public's help to identify and locate this bank robber. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of this robber. Call 713-22-TIPS with any information [that you may have]."

In addition to reporting on the story, the Daily Mail has also provided followers of the story with some background information on the statistics of how 2021 bank robberies were committed. Approximately 85 percent of crimes involving banks were done at bank teller counters, and a considerable amount of those involved an intimidating note being handed to a teller.

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Furthermore, half of those incidents had the addition of either the threat of weapon use or an actual weapon. During the last 15 years of past robberies, at least the same number of civilians were killed, nearly 100 injured, and more than 60 people were taken as hostages. The FBI also has a special section specifically demarcated to bank robbers on its website, which includes a list of crafty nicknames, almost all including the word "Bandit" at the end.

Additionally, criminals who choose not to involve the use of weapons or violence and manage to steal over $1,000 when robbing a bank can still face up to ten years in prison. However, those who steal less than $1,000 may only stand to serve less than a year.

If you enjoyed reading this story, click here to read a story about a greedy man who stole a large amount of money from an elderly woman. Though he thought he had managed to get away, he got a shocking surprise when he found the woman inside his home, who proceeded to explain why she had such a large amount of cash on her in the first place.

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