Black Hat bandits - The FBI is offering informants $30,000 reward for information that leads to the arrests of two robbers, who have held up about 7 banks in last two months.
The thieves, who wear black hats, sunglasses and fake beards, are suspected to have attacked different banks across Maryland and Virginia in 2015. Their most recent attacks were carried out on Wednesday in Vienna, Va., and in Sterling, Va.
Although they have not been any recorded injuries in the operations, authorities said on Friday that they are growing more brazen.
The pair christened 'The Black Hat Bandits' threatened a customer with a gun and jumped over the counter to the bank vaults during their most recent heist.
"In an escalation of violence, the Black Hat Bandits have become more brazen at each robbery having threatened bank customers and tellers, mostly holding a gun to a customer's head, and jumping teller counters in attempts to gain access to bank vaults," an FBI statement read.
"During each robbery, the Black Hat Bandits have been described as carrying handguns and wearing winter coats, sunglasses, black hats (either a winter knit cap or wide brimmed hat ) and a facial disguises such as ski masks or a fake beard."
Although investigators have not identified these robbers, they are confident that they will be caught. They have also urged people with any information regarding the thrievs to call the FBI at 202-278-2000 or 410-265-8080.
FBI Assistant Agent in Charge Mike McGarrity said "There were guns raised to customers in the bank, as well as tellers. These are guns that are out, they're branding them, it doesn't get much more violent than that."
"These are guys that are skilled at what they're doing. There robbers seem proficient with weapons, they've made plans. They're tactical in the way they put customers and employees in the position if coverage."
McGarrity added that "We'll catch them. Statistics show these guys will get caught. We have seven robberies, seven opportunities for witnesses, surveillance video and unique evidence."
The seven robberies took place in Northern Virginia; four in FairFax County and one in Loudoun County. Two occurred in Maryland, one in Charles County and one in Arundel County.
