AVENTURA, FL — The FBI has made an arrest in the case of the so-called “traveling bandit” following a manhunt that involved law enforcement agencies across the United States and multiple FBI field offices. Jason Lee Robinson of Pikeville, Kentucky, is accused of waging a six-state crime spree that included at least seven banks between Florida and Utah
The 49-year-old Robinson was taken into custody Thursday morning without incident in Fruita, Colorado, by special agents of the FBI’s Denver Field Office, according to Special Agent Michael Leverock and spokesman Jim Marshall of the FBI in Miami.
“Investigators say that Robinson is the ‘traveling bandit’ who is wanted for multiple bank robberies across the country,” said Leverock and Marshall.
Robinson, who was already on supervised release and wasn’t permitted to leave Kentucky, is facing federal bank robbery charges.
The traveling bandit’s first stop was in the Miami suburb of Aventura on Dec. 28, where he held up a Capital Bank. He struck a Suntrust Bank on Jan. 2 in Asheville, North Carolina, a Mountain Commerce Bank in Johnson City, Tennessee on Jan. 4, a US Bank in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee on Jan. 8, a TrustMark Bank in Prattville, Alabama on Jan. 10, a 5th3rd Bank in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Jan. 14 and a Wells Fargo Bank in Price Branch, Utah on Jan. 17.
The FBI obtained surveillance footage that showed the bandit jogging from the Capital Bank branch toward the alley behind a nearby Kosher Kingdom, where he placed something in his pocket and removed a dark blue sweatshirt that read “Straight Outta Dallas,” according to court documents.
All of the robberies took place at various times throughout the day between 9:40 a.m. and 4:50 p.m., according to information released by the FBI. No one was injured in any of the robberies.
The FBI released photographs of the bandit taken from surveillance cameras at various locations. He could be seen wearing a similar dark-colored baseball cap in multiple robberies.
According to the federal court documents, Robinson allegedly handed a teller a note during the
Aventura robbery on Dec. 28 in which he indicated that he had a weapon.
“Out of fear for his/her safety, and the safety of others present in the bank, the victim bank teller then handed the robber approximately $1,900 in U.S. currency,” court documents said. “The robber grabbed the money from the counter, grabbed the note, and fled the bank. Thereafter, the victim teller pressed the bank’s silent security alarm.”
Robinson’s ex-wife called the FBI tip line shortly after the surveillance images were released to the public in January.
“Investigators have dubbed him the “traveling bandit” based on the great distances he has covered committing these robberies,” added Leverock and Marshall.
Customers were in at least one of the banks at the time of the robberies.
To report a tip call 754-703-2000. Alternatively, call your local police department or the nearest FBI field office. You can also submit your tip online by clicking here.