The suspect was dubbed the “Face Off Bandit” by FBI investigators because he used fake beards as disguises, which he discarded as he fled.

 

The suspect who law enforcement officials believe is the so-called “Face Off Bandit” was arrested this afternoon as he was leaving a Wal-mart store in Thornton. The “Face Off Bandit” is believed to be responsible for six bank robberies in four jurisdictions, including Boulder, Golden, Thornton and Louisville.

 

Mark Steven Edwards (DOB 9/19/1961) faces three felony Robbery charges in connection with the Boulder bank robberies. Forensic evidence linked him to the robberies, and he was arrested on a Boulder Police Department warrant.

 In Boulder, the first robbery occurred on Dec. 16, 2011 at Great Western Bank, located at 1900 9th St.

 

The second robbery took place at First Bank, located at 4770 Baseline, on Jan. 19, 2012.

 

Chase Bank, located at 603 S. Broadway, was robbed on Feb. 15, 2012.

 

The “Face Off Bandit” is also suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in Golden, Key Bank in Thornton and First National Bank in Louisville. These cases are still under investigation by police agencies in those jurisdictions.

 

In each of the Boulder robberies, the suspect entered the bank and walked directly to the teller, demanding money. Tellers complied with the suspect’s demand. No one was hurt.

 

The suspect fled on foot after each robbery, and police found discarded beards and other items believed to belong to the suspect.

 

Edwards is in custody at the Boulder County Jail. His bond has been set at $100,000.

 

The case numbers are: 11-16250, 12-858 and 12-2138.

 

The Boulder Police Department is grateful for the assistance that other law enforcement agencies provided during the investigations. Those agencies include: FBI-Denver, the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the Louisville Police Department, the Thornton Police Department, the Golden Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team, which executed a search warrant in unincorporated Adams County on behalf of the Boulder Police Department.

 

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to contact Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.