“Grandpa” bank robber captured in Georgia www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on November 14, 2007
ATLANTA GA. NOV. 13 2007
Perry Georgia police arrested a man the FBI had named the “Grandpa Bandit” Saturday at a hotel just off I-75 in Houston County.
The FBI said Bobby Joe Phillips, 64, is suspected in seven bank and credit union robberies in Knoxville, Tenn., and in Suwanee, Covington and Warner Robins in Georgia.
Phillips, who is from Covington, was being held in Houston County Jail until his first court appearance, which has not been scheduled.
The FBI said a Perry police officer saw Phillips’ red Chevrolet S-10 in the Holiday Inn parking lot around 7:30 a.m. and moments later saw him walking toward the pickup truck. The officer arrested Phillips without incident.
Phillips robbed the First Georgia Community Bank in Covington on Sept. 20, the First Tennessee Bank in Knoxville on Oct. 1 and again on Oct. 12, the SunTrust Bank in Suwanee on Oct. 24, the Tennessee Members 1st Federal Credit Union in Knoxville on Nov. 1 and again on Friday, and a bank in Warner Robins on Thursday, according to the FBI.
In each robbery, Phillips allegedly gave the bank teller a note demanding money and flashed a handgun that was in his waistband. Authorities called him the Grandpa Bandit because of his age.
Police and FBI agents are investigating whether or not the suspect is involved in other robberies in Tennessee and Georgia.
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carlos nicho said
Does anyone has more info on the Grandpa Bandit ?
i was talking to some people and trying to understand Mr. Phillips actions in relation with his age.
We came to the crazy conclusion that he was looking for securing his retirement.
With lots of money from the bank robberies or in jail (which for some might be similar of even better than in a nursing home).
In any case, the source of the money to pay for his retirement would be coming from somebody’s pocket.