The FBI Covington Resident Agency will continue to coordinate with FBI regional offices in Indianapolis and Cincinnati to determine if Parnell is responsible for any additional bank robberies in the Tri-state area, FBI Special Agent in Charge Howard Marshall said in a prepared statement.
UPDATE @ 6 p.m. (June 18):
The suspected bank robber dubbed the “sock hat bandit” is in custody after trying to rob his 10th bank in the region since April.
Brian Parnell, 31, who has a Dayton address, has admitted to FBI investigators, during an interview with them after his arrest, that he committed the other nine robberies, our news partner WCPO-TV in Cincinnati is reporting. The “sock hat bandit” was arrested after trying to knock off a Fifth Third branch in Independence, Ky.
According to WCPO, Parnell fled the bank south on I-275 at more than 100 mph, striking several vehicles. He crashed near an elementary school about six miles later in Covington and tried to run from police, Independence Capt. John Lonaker said.
Lonaker told reporters that Thursday’s Fifth Third robber handed a teller a note. He also said the robber was wearing a hat, but not the same hat as in other robberies.
Lonaker said that during the high-speed pursuit, Kenton County sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Adams fired three times at Parnell’s vehicle when Parnell drove directly toward the officer. Parnell was not armed when he was taken into custody, Lonaker said.
Parnell was booked into the Kenton County Jail just after 4:30 p.m. The charges filed against Parnell include the following:
- Wanton endangerment (two counts)
- Fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle)
- Fleeing or evading police (on foot)
- Operating on a suspended or revoked driver's license
- Criminal mischief
EARLIER REPORT (June 11)
The FBI is asking for your help in identifying and tracking a man dubbed the “sock hat bandit” who has robbed nine banks in the region — including Tipp City and Oakwood — since April.
As of Wednesday, the robberies in northern Kentucky, central and southern Ohio and Indiana include:
- Tipp City: April 11
- Oakwood: April 21
- Hilliard (Franklin): May 1
- Green Twp. (Hamilton): May 16
- Hebron, Ky.: May 22
- Cincinnati: May 27
- Bellevue, Ky.: June 1
- Hamilton Twp. (Warren): June 6
- Anderson, Ind.: June 10
In each case, the armed serial bank robber has presented a note demanding cash and claimed to have a gun, the FBI said Thursday in a prepared statement from its Louisville, Ky., offices.
The suspect has been described as white, clean shaven, age 35 to 45, average height and weight.
He has worn a sock hat during all of the bank robberies and glasses during most of the robberies. Although nobody has been physically injured, the subject should be considered armed and dangerous.
The FBI is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information about this suspect should contact the Tri State Crime Stoppers tip line at (513) 352-3040. All tipsters remain anonymous.