Groveland, CA…On December 5th at about 2:30 PM, the Yosemite Bank in Groveland was robbed by a man armed with a handgun. The suspect is described as a white male, between 25-35 years of age, 5’10”-6’0” tall, between 150-170 pounds with an athletic build.

The man was wearing a multi- colored beanie, black sunglasses similar to Oakley’s, khaki pants with side cargo pockets, a black windbreaker style zip up jacket and black footwear. He was also wearing a beige backpack. He entered the bank and demanded cash. He did not take anyone hostage and fled the bank on foot with a considerable amount of money he carried away in a black plastic garbage style bag. Bank employees and the customer who were in the bank were unharmed. The man was seen fleeing into a wooded area that led towards Deer Flat Road. It is unknown if at that point the suspect had a vehicle or someone waiting to aid him in the getaway.

The surrounding areas were searched by Sheriff’s Deputies with the assistance of a CHP Helicopter and K9 tracking. Detectives dusted for fingerprints and collected DNA from inside of the bank. The evidence collected was sent to the Department of Justice for processing.

The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are working together and have confirmed the suspect to be the same serial bank robber referred to as the “Khaki Bandit.”

This “Khaki Bandit” is believed to be responsible for approximately thirteen bank robberies that have occurred throughout California since 2013. Suspect photos from several other bank robberies match the description of the man seen on the surveillance video from the Groveland bank robbery. Typically, the suspect enters the rural banks armed with a black handgun, approaches the teller and makes a demand for money. Once he receives the money, he leaves the bank.

Officials do not believe he is still here in the area. We do ask that anyone in the area Hwy 120, downtown Groveland or Deer Flat Road at the time of the robbery with any information of a suspicious person or vehicle to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 209-533-5815.

For more information on the related, “Khaki Bandit” bank robberies, go to the FBI website at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2014-11-14.3622866658

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the, “Khaki Bandit.”