The Too Tall Bandit is an unidentified serial bank robber who is thought to be responsible for at least sixteen bank robberies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee dating back to 2009. His nickname is derived from his height, which is estimated to be between 6'0 and 6'8 (183 – 203 centimeters).
Robberies In every robbery, the bandit was heavily disguised in a mask, coat, and sometimes gloves. He would enter the banks when they were about to close, walk behind or jump over the counter, and threaten the employees with a black handgun, which he held in his right hand. He then demanded that the employees help him put money from the vault or teller drawers into his bag or backpack. He asked the employees to point out bait money and dye packs, two security measures which could be used by law enforcement to track him down. Then, he orders the workers to lie on the floor as he flees the scene.
The perpetrator usually robs banks in rural areas near forests. The bandit has never been seen using a getaway vehicle, so authorities believe he may live near the banks he robs.
In addition to bank robberies, the bandit is also suspected of robbing the Farragut Pharmacy in Farragut, Tennessee, on December 18, 2014. In that case, he stole opioids instead of money.
List of robberies DateStateCityAddressBankNovember 27, 2009TennesseeWhite House2920 Highway 31 WVolunteer State BankNovember 12, 2010TennesseeGallatin780 Browns LaneSumner Bank & TrustNovember 9, 2012TennesseeFranklin731 Cool Springs Blvd.SunTrust BankMarch 31, 2014TennesseeFarragut11864 Kingston PikeFirst Tennessee BankNovember 24, 2014TennesseeJefferson City156 East Broadway Blvd.Tri-Summit BankDecember 18, 2014TennesseeFarragutFarragut PharmacyNovember 13, 2015TennesseePigeon Forge3671 ParkwayHome Federal BankOctober 27, 2016TennesseeKnoxville136 Concord RoadCapital BankNovember 16, 2016North CarolinaArden140 Airport RoadHome Trust BankNovember 25, 2016South CarolinaLyman104 Edgewood StreetFirst Citizens BankNovember 17, 2017TennesseeJefferson City263 East Broadway Blvd.BB&T BankNovember 24, 2017TennesseeKnoxville813 Huckleberry LaneCitizen's National BankOctober 26, 2018North CarolinaConcord818 Church StreetBB&T BankDecember 21, 2018North CarolinaAsheville850 Merrimon AvenueBB&T BankJanuary 4, 2019TennesseeFranklin731 Cool Springs Blvd.SunTrust BankNovember 6, 2020North CarolinaBrevard2 Market StreetFirst BankNovember 27, 2020North CarolinaEtowah50 United Bank DriveUnited Community Bank
Appearance The Too Tall Bandit is believed to be between 6 feet and 6'6 tall by the FBI. However, some witnesses have described him as being as tall as 6'8. He also weighs between 210 and 250 pounds and walks with a limp on his right leg. Additionally, he has a deep voice.
In every robbery, the perpetrator used a disguise to cover his face. Sometimes he used a Halloween-style mask. Other times, he wore a balaclava, which exposed his brown eyes. In many of the robberies, the bandit used gloves. However, sometimes he did not, revealing his seemingly white skin color.
See also Geezer Bandit Piggy Bank Bandit Wheaton Bandit
References