Police seek local bank robber ‘Hefty Heister’

Law enforcement officials said Friday they are looking to identify and arrest the so-called “Hefty Heister,” a man suspected of robbing five Bay Area banks in a two-month span.

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating the man, who has allegedly committed eight bank robberies in all after heading outside the Bay Area to hit Lodi and Elk Grove locations on Tuesday.

The Hefty Heister’s series of robberies reportedly began on Dec. 3 at the Exchange Bank located at 6290 Commerce Blvd. in Rohnert Park.

He established a pattern that would continue, according to the FBI, which was entering banks and presenting tellers with a demand note that made threats of having a weapon.

He did not display a weapon in many of the incidents, although he brandished a semi-automatic pistol on his next outing, according to the FBI.

He allegedly robbed Tri Counties Bank inside a Raley’s in Brentwood at gunpoint.

The Hefty Heister then targeted a Wells Fargo inside a Safeway at in Pleasant Hill on Dec. 22 and a US Bank inside a Raley’s in Suisun City on Jan. 9 before returning to Brentwood for another robbery of a US Bank inside a Safeway on Jan. 14.

Between those incidents, he also apparently robbed a bank in the unincorporated Sacramento County town of Walnut Grove on Dec. 31.

Surveillance photos of the man were released today that depict the suspect covering his head with a hooded sweatshirt, an inside-out ski hat and even a fake beard on different occasions to try and hide his identity.

Each time, according to the FBI, the suspect had a ring on his left hand. He often wore baggy, dark pants and tan work boots or shabby athletic shoes with blue or black tops and white soles.

He was described as a stocky white man who stands at 5 feet 6 inches to 8 inches tall. He is believed to be between 35 and 45 years old and may have blue eyes, according to the FBI.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at FBI (800) 885-5984. Tips may also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov.