Wanted: The "High Country Bandits"

February 18, 2010 - The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the "High Country Bandits," an armed crew who have allegedly committed 12 bank robberies across Northern Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The unknown male identified as suspect number one often enters the banks in rural locations near closing time and brandishes a black semi-automatic handgun. Suspect number one then demands all the money from the teller drawers. He obtains an undisclosed amount of money, puts it in a bag, orders everyone on the ground, then exits the banks with a second suspect. They have been seen leaving the banks on a green or maroon four-wheel ATV with suspect number two driving.

Suspect number one is described as a white or Hispanic male, 30’s - 40’s, approximately 5’3” - 5’6”, 130 - 160 lbs. (slight build), wearing dark clothing, brown or grey hair with a possible mustache or beard, and thin legs. His voice is described as being deep, rough or raspy.

Suspect number two is described as a white or Hispanic male, 30’s, approximately 6’0” tall, 150 -175lbs., with straight black hair (see sketch below).

The following credit union and banks have been robbed:

• 09/08/09, Bank of the West, 1945 Highway 260, Heber, AZ

• 09/22/09, First National Bank of Durango, 351 Bayfield Center Drive, Bayfield, CO

• 10/14/09, Arizona Central Credit Union, 1948 S. Woodland Village Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ

• 10/30/09, Country Bank, 3044 North Glassford Hill Road, Prescott Valley, AZ

• 11/10/09, First Community Bank, 19390 Highway 314, Belen, NM

• 11/25/09, Compass Bank, 613 S. Beeline Highway, Payson, AZ

• 12/03/09, Chase Bank, 5305 S. Superstition Mtn Dr., Gold Canyon, AZ

• 12/04/09, Compass Bank, 781 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop, AZ

• 12/15/09, Wells Fargo Bank, 12140 N. Dove Mountain Blvd, Marana, AZ

• 12/22/09, Bank of the San Juans, 1710 Main St., Durango, CO

• 01/25/10, Sunwest Bank, 822 N. Humphreys, Flagstaff, AZ

• 02/05/10, Community Banks of Colorado, 1438 E. Main St., Cortez, CO

The FBI and our local law enforcement partners are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the High Country Bandits. Please contact the nearest FBI office or call the Phoenix FBI at (602) 279-5511 with any information about the identity of the High Country Bandits.