FBI Offers Reward in the Case of the “Cotton Ball Bandit”

Marin’s serial bank robber now has a bounty held over his cotton-covered head.

The FBI San Francisco Division is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the “Cotton Ball Bandit,” suspected of robbing seven North Bay banks since December 2012.

Accused of grabbing cash from seven different North Bay banks, the suspect’s latest bank robbery was on Sept. 4 in San Rafael. The serial bank bandit enters a bank, approaches a teller and presents a demand note, and is known for wearing a brown, knit, winter beanie with earflaps and a “cotton ball” on the top.

 The FBI and local law enforcement agencies believe the “Cotton Ball Bandit” is connected to the following bank robberies:

• Sept. 4: Redwood Credit Union, 209 Third Street in San Rafael
• Aug. 21: Wells Fargo Bank, 427 Corte Madera Town Center in Corte Madera
• Aug. 2: Citibank, 101 Tiburon Boulevard in Mill Valley
• July 17: Chase Bank, 437 Corte Madera Town Center in Corte Madera
• Jan. 22: Union Bank, 800 Redwood Highway in Mill Valley
• Jan. 9: Union Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Greenbrae
• Dec. 12, 2012: Chase Bank, 401 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Greenbrae

Witnesses have described the “Cotton Ball Bandit” as a 40-50 year old, medium build, blond, white male, approximately six-foot tall. He is reported to have a scruffy face and along with his brown knit beanie has worn a black rain coat, black leather gloves and eye glasses.

The FBI asks anyone with information to contact them, and can be reached 24 hours a day at 415-553-7400 in the San Francisco area.

All calls are confidential and tips can be left anonymously. Tips can also be submitted online here.