Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

FBI offers $10,000 reward after armed 'Scream Bandit' strikes again

Wearing a mask worn by the killer in the movie 'Scream', the armed robber targets gas stations in Virginia 

Oliver O'Connell
New York
Tuesday 04 February 2020 17:52 GMT
Comments
FBI hunts 'Scream Bandit' in armed gas station robberies

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The FBI is on the hunt for an armed robber, dubbed the “Scream Bandit”, responsible for a string of gas station robberies in Virginia.

A reward of $10,000 is being offered for information about the unidentified man who struck three times in January and February 2019, and three times in the past month.

In all the robberies, the suspect wore all black clothing, black or blue gloves, and a mask as worn by the killer in the 1996 movie Scream.

The subject is armed with a semi-automatic handgun, and described by the FBI as a black male aged between 20 and 30 years old, 5’7 to 5’10 tall, and weighing 160 to 180 lbs.

The crimes took place in Richmond, Henrico County and North Chesterfield. In each one, he hands over a bag demanding the gas station clerks fill it with money.

On his third attempted robbery in February 2019, he was unsuccessful, fleeing the business and firing a shot in the direction of a clerk that followed him.

On 5 January this year, he tripped on his way into the Raceway Gas Station in Richmond, giving clerks time to secure themselves in a locked room. He fled the store and 25 minutes later he robbed a BP Gas Station in Henrico County.

He struck again on 26 January at Goldy’s Gas Station in Richmond. On this occasion, while store clerks were obeying his demands, he went behind the counter and flipped over the register, taking additional money from underneath it.

The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous, police say.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in