GUILFORD COUNTY: Four robbery suspects known as the "Bluetooth Bandits" have now been arrested in connection to bank heists in Greensboro.
Authorities said 21-year-old Daniela Joy Smith was charged Tuesday with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. The two robberies occurred earlier this month.
Smith is the fourth suspect charged in connection with a two-year spree of the "Bluetooth Bandits," who are linked to nine bank robberies in Greensboro that netted more than $500,000.
Other suspects facing the same charges are Christopher Brian Collins, Sabrina Lynn Phillips and Anthony Jermain Payne. The robberies date back to August 2006.
The FBI dubbed the suspects the "Bluetooth Bandits" because the robbers were seen wearing Bluetooth phone devices in surveillance videos.
If you have information on crimes in North Carolina, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED (1.866.439.2683) or click on "Report a Tip" Your information will be kept confidential.
From Earlier NC WANTED Staff Reports
GUILFORD COUNTY: The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Greensboro Police are trying to locate a group of two or three black males, who they believe have been responsible for eight bank heists in the Greensboro area starting in July 2006. Authorities have dubbed them the “Bluetooth Bandits.”
In at least two of the robberies, one of the suspects was seen wearing a Bluetooth wireless earpiece. Investigators say the suspect may use the Bluetooth device to communicate with accomplices during the robbery. Authorities believe there could be an accomplice outside the bank monitoring a police scanner or using another method to help the suspects escape. Eyewitnesses have reported that during one of the robberies, one of the suspects yelled, “Time, Time!” while the other suspect took whatever money he could steal before fleeing the bank.
Investigators believe the “Bluetooth Bandits” are linked to bank robberies at these locations:
Patrick Henry National Bank, 4004 West Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC, on July 19, 2006, at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union, 4910 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on August 18, 2006, at approximately 9:43 a.m.
Mid-Carolina Bank, 5509-A West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, on September 27, 2006, at approximately 9:45 a.m.
First Citizens Bank, 4708 High Point Road, Greensboro, NC, on November 10, 2006, at approximately 10:00 a.m.
SunTrust Bank, 612 College Road, Greensboro, NC, on January 5, 2007, at approximately 9:15 a.m.
SunTrust Bank, 4636 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on March 15, 2007, at approximately 1:45 p.m.
Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union, 4910 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC, on August 10, 2007, at approximately 10:35 a.m.
SunTrust Bank, 7804 National Service Road, Greensboro, NC, on October 25, 2007, at approximately 10:15 a.m.
Investigators say the bank robbers have developed a consistent robbery style. At least one of the suspects is typically armed with a large semi-automatic pistol or a small black revolver. The first person runs inside and gains access to the vault. Meanwhile, a second person maintains control of the lobby while the bank tellers place money on the counter. In some instances, there has been an additional suspect participating in the robbery.
Authorities say the suspects always flee the scene in a getaway vehicle, which has differed in make, model and color. Some of the cars include a black Honda (Accord or Civic), a brown or gold Honda Accord, a light brown or gold Nissan Altima or Toyota Corolla, a black Infiniti and a black SUV (possibly an Acura MDX). The suspects also use dark-colored hooded sweatshirts, baseball caps, bandanas, ski masks, sun visors and sunglasses to disguise themselves.
Wanted For:
Eight bank robberies across the Greensboro area
Profile:
Sex: 2-3 males
Race: Black
Age: 20-30 years old
Height: 5’7”-5’11”
Weight: 150-170 pounds
Possible Locations:
Authorities believe the suspects could be living in Greensboro or outside the area and riding around with someone who is familiar with banks in Greensboro.
There is a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Bluetooth Bandits.”
If you have information on this case, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED (1.866.439.2683) or click on "Report a Tip" Your identity can be kept confidential.
