Update: ‘Dying Son Bandit’ Pleads Not Guilty to String of Bank Robberies

A Carlsbad man accused of carrying out a string of North County bank heists in which he allegedly told tellers he needed money for his dying son pleaded not guilty today to federal robbery and attempted robbery charges.

Steven Craig Hart was indicted Tuesday and entered his denial to the charges today in a brief hearing before Magistrate Judge Ruben Brooks.

Hart was arrested Jan. 21 at his residence in the 2000 block of Avenue of Trees following a multi-jurisdictional investigation into 11 robberies and attempted robberies attributed to the “Dying Son Bandit” between November and last month, according to FBI Special Agent Keith Slotter. 

Hart allegedly claimed the money from the heists was needed for his son, but investigators determined the references to a dying child were false, Slotter said. 

The “Dying Son Bandit” also told tellers he had a gun and would use it is they didn't give him money. 

The grand jury indictment alleges Hart netted more than $17,000 in five bank robberies in Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, Oceanside and San Diego.

Hart will be back in court March 19 before U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes for a motion and trial-setting hearing.

—City News Service