Black Hat Bandits Strike Again, Leave a Possible Clue
The criminals have hit eight banks this year.
— -- A gang of bank robbers dubbed the "Black Hat Bandits" struck again Monday, hitting a bank in Virginia, the eighth time this year, the FBI said.
But this time, the group may have left behind a key clue: possible footprints.
The two bank robbers – known for donning black hats, winter coats, sunglasses, and some kind of facial disguise – robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in Falls Church, Virginia, authorities said. Witnesses say they ordered everyone to the floor at gunpoint, shoving those who weren’t moving quickly enough.
A bystander called police from outside the bank, but by the time police arrived the pair had escaped, reportedly speeding off in a getaway car driven by a third suspect.
According to the FBI, the “Black Hat Bandits” have robbed eight banks since January, all in Maryland or Virginia.
In at least one case, they put a gun to a customer’s head.
In Monday’s robbery, authorities were able to preserve possible footprints in the snow using cardboard boxes, later casting a mold. Authorities are hopeful that the footprints will help them solve the case. The FBI is also offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the bank robbers.