By Krista Kjellman

Jun 1, 2007 4:56pm

The ‘Mad Hatter’ Strikes Again?

The FBI is on the hunt for a bank robbery suspect they say could be the Garden State’s "mad hatter" after a Commerce Bank in Montclair, N.J., was robbed earlier today.    Caught in the act by the bank’s security cameras, the suspect is seen wearing a blue baseball-style hat as he enters, robs and flees the scene of the crime. The final pictures show him in a cloud of red, which an FBI release said is traces of the "dye pack exploding while he runs away with the stolen money." The suspect left the dye pack behind in the parking lot. Photos: See the Robber in Action The FBI describes the man as white in his late 40s to early 50s with a mole on his left cheek.  In addition to his hat of choice, the suspect is donned in a blue-and-white plaid shirt and dark-colored pants, both of which may now have red dye on them.  The FBI says it is "possible" he is the "mad hatter." Since September, the "mad hatter" has targeted banks in northern and central New Jersey. Inspired by the top-hatted character in Lewis Carroll’s "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," the "mad hatter" earned his name by his seemingly endless collection of headgear. Clocking in more than 15 robberies, the "mad hatter" has reportedly been caught wearing a powder-blue camouflage cap, a red hunter’s hat with brim, a fisherman’s hat, a Yankees baseball cap, a cap with a military insignia, a red-knit ski cap, and a burnt-orange Texas Longhorn baseball cap, to name a few. According to reports and pictures from the latest heist, the robber has set modus operandi.  After entering his bank of choice, he calmly waits in line to see a teller if he needs to. Once he sees the teller, he shows the teller a handwritten note demanding money.  Once he secures the bills, he calmly flees the bank. Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?

User Comments

Yep, check out guys wearing hats.

Posted by: Bill Hicks | June 1, 2007, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

If he’d be driving a 4 wheel drive diesel pickup, and wearing his sunglasses over the bill of his cap(s), he’d fit right in…….in the south. Be impossible to find, or recognize him.

Posted by: Dave | June 2, 2007, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

I can’t believe there are so many people out there willing to risk going to jail to avoid having to make an honest living.

Posted by: Akhilleus13 | June 2, 2007, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm

I’m in shock to see how many times he’s gotten away with these robberies! You would think sooner or later the banks would be on the look out for late aged men wearing hats!

Posted by: Brandon W. Allen | June 5, 2007, 3:05 am 3:05 am

Remote fired tazers on all money bags, to be fired in parking lot upon a signal from bank personell or police.

Posted by: Marie Zarankevich | June 8, 2007, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

Hook’em ‘horns!

Posted by: Dave | June 11, 2007, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

daddy was a bankrobber but he never hurt nobody, he just loved to live that way, and he loved to still your money.

Posted by: Craig | June 13, 2007, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

good for him, more honest trade than most. the only difference between this guy and a politician is he doesn’t hide the fact that he’s stealing your money.

Posted by: craig | June 13, 2007, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

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