Geezer Bank Robber Notches No. 8 And Counting

 The Special Agent in charge of the FBI San Diego office just might become the poster boy of the bureau. I can imagine Most Wanted posters hung on his wall of an old white guy, wearing a baseball cap, as the agent reviews taped security cameras of the old buzzard robbing banks.


The "Geezer Bank Robber," as he is called struck again Tuesday for at least the eighth time since last August when the spree began. This time it was the Bank Of America branch in Santee, a city about 15 miles east of San Diego.

Same old guy. Same M.O. About 6 feet tall. In seemingly good shape at, say, about 180 pounds. Grizzled short beard. A note. And what looks like a pistol. Banks won't say how much cash he stole.

And on Tuesday as all the other times, he leaves the bank and mysteriously disappears.


This is a wild guess. Based on the robberies about a month apart, I would think he's supplementing his monthly Social Security check which, if he is single, would be about $1,165 assuming his Medicare premium of $96 is deducted.


But, being a cop reporter on and off for 10 years in San Diego, I know the chances of the law enforcement guy in charge is getting behind-the-back cynical snippets of "Elliot Ness," "Dick Tracy" or "J. Edgar." Or worse, "How many special FBI agents does it take to catch a senior citizen?" You can fill in your own answer.


This old guy would be a top priority for me to interview if and when he is ever caught. How'd he get away with it so long? What training did he have in his younger days to rob banks? What did he use the money for?


Wouldn't it be a gasser if he robbed to pay his prescription drug bills? I mean, he doesn't look the type who takes the money and spends it foolishly on women and booze. 


All I know for sure he is becoming a royal burr in the butt of the San Diego G-Men.  And he has scared the bejabbers out of at least eight bank tellers.


Hey, I got it. Declare him a terrorist, Mr. Special Agent In Charge. Maybe that will force Washington to dispatch its "Criminal Minds" or some other special task force folks.

And what's the judge going to do when he is caught and faces sentencing? Send him to the slammer for life? From the looks of him, he might not make it to the next robbery.


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