|
|
| |
| |
Criminal Records - Most Wanted |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Profile |
|
| |
Name: Rafael Rondon
|
|
| |
Race: Hispanic |
|
| |
Age Now: 48 |
|
| |
Height: 5'5'' - 5'9" |
|
| |
Weight: 220 lbs. -300 lbs. |
|
| |
Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair): Black
May be wearing black or dark brown wig.
Could have a thick mustache or fake one. |
|
| |
Eyes (Color and Correction): Brown |
|
| |
Other Physical Characteristics: Wears a bandage on his left cheek
He uses various disguises including a baseball cap, Sunglasses,wig, and fake mustache
Has Vitaligo skin condition on his hands and face (Causes white splotches) |
|
| |
Wanted for :
Auto theft
Armed Robbery (multiple counts), Lakeland, FL;
Dec 20, 2000
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Location(s) |
|
| |
Last Seen : Hudson, FL
Hudson, Florida bank (suburb of Tampa) |
|
| |
Possible Location : Florida |
|
| |
Last Known : Unkown |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Traits |
|
| |
Has a Puerto Rican Spanish accent |
|
| |
Carries a weapon and flashes it |
|
| |
Travels with an accomplice, described as a hispanic male shorter and less heavier than the Band-Aid Bandit |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Case Story |
|
| |
Tampa Band-Aid Bandit Strikes Again And Again |
|
| |
Since December 2000, cops in Florida have been scrambling to find the elusive bank robber they've dubbed, "The Tampa Band-Aid Bandit." For a couple of years, the robber wore a bandage on his left cheek. Police believe he was trying to cover up his skin condition, vitiligo. Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials say this bandit and his partner in crime have robbed about 38 banks in more than five years. Their take -- over $500,000.
FDLE Special Agent Steve Davenport says, "One of the difficulties in this investigation is the wide geographic area that these robbers are operating in. They are hitting in the Tampa Bay area as well as areas south and north of Tampa." FDLE is assisting dozens of police agencies and banks through the creation of a task force established in 2003. They share information regularly to try to keep on top of the bandit's MO, disguise and other details that may help solve the crime.
Cops say Tampa Band-Aid Bandit was active from the end of 2000 to late 2003. Then, for 10 months, nothing. FDLE and agencies working the case began wondering if he left the state or stopped robbing banks. But then he struck again.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Band-Aid Bandit Becomes More Brazen |
|
| |
After laying low for nearly a year, the Tampa Band-Aid Bandit struck a couple of times in late 2004 and again in February, May, October and December of 2005. Detectives have become more concerned with the robber's demeaner after his February 17, 2005 hold up in an Inverness bank.
Tellers described the suspect as outspoken, bold and demanding. Cops say while asking for money, the Band-Aid Bandit waved his pistol around and pointed it at customers. While no one was injured, the robber appeared more desperate. He wore his trademark wig and bandage. Detectives say his take was $14,000.
Davenport said that in the earlier robberies, the Tampa Band-Aid Bandit appeared calm and cool, and most of the hold ups were low-key. But the suspect's more brazen tactics have police worried that future robberies could escalate into violence. Davenport remains concerned. "We feel a sense of dread that someone innocent such as a bank employee or customer, or a police officer responding to the robbery is going to get hurt."
The May 2005 robbery in New Port Richey frightened cops when they learned from witnesses that the Tampa Band-Aid Bandit and his partner entered the local bank in take-over style.
The FDLE task force still remains unsure if the robber lives in Florida or travels through the state to target banks. Detectives believe the suspects use different getaway cars, possibly stolen vehicles and/or tags during the hold ups. Davenport said his priority is to stop the Band-Aid Bandit as soon as possible. "It's just a matter of time before someone is hurt. Something unexpected will happen inside one of those banks," said Davenport. He continued, "Then I believe these two individuals will utilize those firearms. They didn't bring them in there for any other reason." |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Reward For Suspects Doubled |
|
| |
FDLE and cooperating agencies have been using every method known to them to try to catch the elusive robbers. For example, they have posted billboards with sketches and photos of the suspects all over the Tampa Bay area and neighboring counties. Also, law enforcement and the Florida Bankers Association have doubled their reward from $25,000 to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).
"The biggest problem we have is there isn't any pattern," said Agent Davenport. He went on to say, "The robbers don't hit on any particular day of the week, time, area or bank." That's what has made this so hard to solve. Davenport added that it would require the help of the National Guard to stake out all the banks in the Tampa Bay area. That's not going to happen.
Right now, detectives are seeking the Band-Aid Bandit, who is about 80 pounds fatter now and more vocal and violent during robberies. His accomplice, a smaller man in comparison is playing a more active role in the bank hits. Cops believe the bandit's vitaligo skin condition on his hands and face remain a good clue.
The task force has reviewed all surveillance video and has found some good footage and stills of the two men. Agent Davenport believes an earlier bank robbery in Brooksville, Florida on February 25, 2002, may be the best pictures yet of the Band-Aid Bandit's face. While slimmer there, detectives say those photos show the best details of the robber.
Band-Aid Bandit and his accomplice haven't hit since December 2005. Cops know it's a matter of time before they strike again. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|