Cops searching for Denver area bank robber dubbed ‘Powder Puff Bandit’
Law enforcement agencies in Colorado are actively on the lookout for a man and woman wanted in connection with at least seven bank robberies that went down in the metropolitan Denver area over the last several weeks.
The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Denver metropolitan area police departments are asking for the public’s help in locating Paul Hernandez, who is 33 years old, and Mary Bannigan, who is 27 years old.
Hernandez has been dubbed the “Powder Puff” Bandit as he wore thick makeup to cover his facial tattoos while robbing local area banks. Bank robberies committed by Hernandez and Bannigan include:
- BBVA Compass Bank, 4600 South Broadway, Englewood, Colorado, 10/01/2020 at 2:59 p.m.
- First Bank, 3801 Federal Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 09/21/20 at 11:40 a.m.
- KeyBank, 7372 West Chatfield Ave., Littleton, Colorado, 09/15/2020 at 2:46 p.m.
- TCF Bank, 7203 West 55th Ave., Arvada, Colorado, 09/08/20 at 4:30 p.m.
- TCF Bank, 2090 South University Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 09/03/20 at 4:30 p.m.
- TCF Bank, 7206 Federal Blvd., Westminster, Colorado, 08/31/20, 4:30 p.m.
- TCF Bank, 2084 South Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 08/25/20 at 3:00 p.m.
Paul Hernandez and Mary Bannigan Slide Show
A Dye Pack was given in the October 1, 2020 robbery, which detonated. It is possible the cash taken is covered in red dye. In two of the above robberies, Hernandez displayed a handgun.
Hernandez is a Hispanic male, 5’7” in height, with a thin build, shaved head, and facial tattoos.
Bannigan is described as a Hispanic or white female, 5’2” in height, with a thin build. She wears glasses and has long, dark hair, which she sometimes colors blonde.
Law enforcement is asking that you be on the lookout for anyone matching the suspects’ descriptions. Be aware of anyone similar who might have recently changed their spending habits or discussed coming into money suddenly.
Bank robbery is punishable up to a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.
If anyone has any information on the bank robberies above, or if anyone has information on persons possessing or attempting to pass red dye-stained money:
- please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at (303) 629-7171,
- or you can remain anonymous by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at (720) 913-STOP (7867).
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 on information leading to an arrest in this case. TCF Bank will pay an additional $8,000 on information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
(Source: FBI Denver)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
