FBI Press Release Buffalo Field Office

Today, Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Buffalo Field Office, and H. McCarthy Gibson, Commissioner of the Buffalo Police Department (BPD), request the assistance of the public in identifying the individual who robbed the M&T Bank at One M&T Plaza on Main Street in downtown Buffalo on Wednesday, October 10, 2007.

Shortly after 2 p.m. a white male dressed in a black suit entered the bank and approached a customer service associate. He identified himself as a federal agent and asked to speak with one of the managers. When in the customer waiting area, the robber stepped outside to smoke a cigarette while he waited for the manager. When a Bank Manager finally met with him, the robber identified himself as a federal agent conducting an investigation. He presented a gold badge and identification card. The two went to the manager's office where the robber said he had a gun; he showed the manager a black handgun inside his suit coat. The robber also told the manager he had placed a bomb in the bank's lobby.

The robber demanded the manager get him a specific amount of money. The two left the office and proceeded to a second manager's desk. The robber told the second manager he was with the federal government and again displayed a badge and identification card. The robber then repeated the demand for money.

After further discussing the matter, the second manager took the robber's black portfolio to the teller stations where the manager retrieved an undisclosed amount of cash and brought the portfolio back to the waiting robber. The robber took the portfolio and instructed the two managers to come back to the Manager's office.

Once at the office, the robber instructed the two managers to wait for five minutes. He closed the door and left the two managers inside. The robber exited the bank via the Washington Street doors at 2:46 p.m. and proceeded eastbound on foot.

The bank robber is described as follows:

Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: Approximately 50 to 60 years old
Height: 5'10" - 6'00"
Weight: 175 - 200 pounds
Hair: Reddish blonde; slicked back
Facial Hair: Greying beard
Clothing: Black suit, white dress shirt, dark colored tie, black dress shoes
Tattoos: Multi-colored tattoos were evident on the underside of both wrists

Anyone with information should contact the Buffalo FBI Office at 716-856-7800 or the BPD Tipline at 716-847-2255 (TIP-CALL).

This investigation continues.