FBI Nabs Suspected Serial Bandit

AVENTURA, FL — The FBI has nabbed a suspected serial bank robber who is believed to have struck a Hollywood Chase Bank twice and possibly a TD Bank branch in Aventura on Wednesday. Forty-four-year-old Russell Bennett of West Park, Florida was charged with federal bank robbery and a related offense. He is also believed to have been responsible for a robbery at a Subway restaurant in Hollywood on Tuesday.

"The investigation is still ongoing. It should be noted that investigators are looking into any possible connections between Bennett and similar robberies," according to Special Agent Michael Leverock and spokesman Jim Marshall of the FBI in Miami.

Bennett was arrested on Wednesday night following an investigation by the Broward Sheriff's Office; Hollywood Police Department; Pembroke Pines Police Department; Miramar Police Department; Aventura Police Department; Hallandale Police Department; Miami Gardens Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI’s South Florida Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force.

"Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies combined efforts to quickly locate and arrest Bennett without incident," Leverock and Marshall said. "There were no injuries to Bennett, law enforcement or the public. There were no shots fired."

Special Agent in Charge Robert F. Lasky of the FBI in Miami commended investigators for the arrest.

"Investigating violent crimes is not a 9 to 5 job and is often times dangerous," Lasky said. "These officers deserve our thanks and respect for the work they do keeping our communities safe."

The FBI released photographs taken from surveillance cameras during the robberies in Hollywood and Aventura.

Leverock and Marshall would not say how much money was taken during any of the robberies.

"Investigators believe this is the same robber who robbed a Chase Bank branch yesterday at 5545 Sheridan St, Hollywood," Leverock and Marshall said on Wednesday in asking for the public's help in solving the Aventura robbery. The earlier Chase robbery occurred on Jan. 8. The Aventura TD Bank is located at 20495 Biscayne Blvd.

Anyone with information should call the FBI at 754-703-2000. Alternatively, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Surveillance image from Tuesday's robbery of a Chase Bank in Hollywood courtesy of the FBI.