Reward up to $2,500 offered for info leading to Mismatch Bandit's arrest, conviction

PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- The FBI is hoping you might recognize a man who is suspected of holding up 14 Phoenix businesses in the past two months.

The man, dubbed by the FBI as the "Mismatch Bandit", is believed by FBI officials to have committed 14 robberies in Phoenix since August 2, the most recent of which happened on September 29. During the robberies, the suspect enters the business and goes to the counter, demands money from the register while either lifting his sweatshirt to display a gun in his waistband, or holds his hand under his sweatshirt, simulating a weapon. Once an employee gives him the money, the man puts it into his pocket, and leaves on foot.

"They are armed robberies," said Sgt. Robert Scherer with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force. "They do involve a gun the majority of time. In the majority of these hits, a gun is used."

The suspect is named the "Mismatch Bandit" because he wears an unusual combination of clothes that he changes often. In addition, FBI officials said there appears to be no pattern to the business the suspect chooses to rob. The man is believed to have robbed a wide-ranging number of businesses, including Subway, CVS, Denny's Walgreens, Domino's, Cricket, Family Dollar, and MetroPCS.

"In this case, there isn't really a predominant business type," said Scherer. "He's hitting traditional convenience stores, restaurants. There isn't a type of business."

One of the incidents took place on September 8, at a Goodwill store in the area of 40th Street and Thunderbird.

"I think it's kind of a disgrace, especially if he's hitting up Goodwills," said Tony Cocuo, who lives in the area.

The suspect is described by FBI officials as a white man, 30 to 40 years old, 5'6" to 5'10" tall, weighing 155 to 175 lbs. The man is described as having dirty blond hair, with a receding hairline and blue or green eyes. The suspect typically wears a hoodie with the hood up, a bandana to cover the lower half of his face, baggy sweatpants, and gray shoes.

No one has been injured in the robberies, and a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anyone with information should call the FBI at (623) 466-1999, or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.