OMAHA, NE – On August 22, 2017 a federal Grand Jury in Nebraska indicted Richard Lee
Gathercole, 39, the suspected “AK-47 Bandit”, on one count of bank robbery, one count of
possession of a weapon, one count of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines, and one
count of transporting stolen fire arms across state lines in furtherance of a crime of violence,
related to the August 22, 2014 bank robbery, in Nebraska City, Nebraska (First Nebraska Bank)
and the criminal events leading to his arrest on June 19th, 2017.
Gathercole, of Roundup, Montana, was apprehended by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office in
Nebraska after a high-speed chase starting in Kansas, where he evaded authorities, on June 19,
2017. A federal search warrant was conducted on June 24, 2017 at Gathercole’ s residence in
Roundup, Montana, by members of the FBI; the Chino Police Department; the Musselshell
County Sheriff’s Office; and the Rexburg, Idaho Police Department. During the search,
investigators located several pieces of evidence they believe were used in the commission of the
various bank robberies related to the Ak-47 series. In addition, Gathercole is known to have
access to vehicles that match the description of the vehicles used to flee some of the robberies.
Based on these and other factors, investigators believe that Gathercole is responsible for the bank
robberies attributed to the AK-47 Bandit series.
“We are grateful for the diligent work of our law enforcement and prosecution partners in
Nebraska and around the United States that are working collaboratively to ensure justice is
carried out in this case.” Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Division, Randall Thysse,
stated.
The AK-47 Bandit series includes these robberies: February 29, 2012, in Chino (California Bank
& Trust); March 12, 2012, in Vacaville, California (Bank of the West); July 6, 2012, in North
Bend, Washington (Chase Bank); November 7, 2012, in Rexburg, Idaho (East Idaho Credit
Union); and July 28, 2015, in Mason City, IA (Heartland Community Credit Union); July 6,
2012 robbery of a bank in North Bend, WA. There was also an attempted robbery on March 9,
2012, in Sacramento, California, at the Tri-Cities Bank.
Due to the various crimes alleged and jurisdictions involved at various levels of government,
investigators continue to consult with prosecutors regarding applicable charges.
The investigation of the AK-47 Bandit bank robbery series is being conducted by the Chino
Police Department; the Rexburg Police Department; the Musselshell County Sheriff's
Department in Montana; the Seattle Safe Streets Task Force; the King County Sheriff’s Office in
Washington; the Vacaville Police Department; the Sacramento Police Department; the Nebraska
City Police Department; the Greater Omaha Bank Robbery Task Force; as well as FBI Field
Offices that cover each of the jurisdictions where robberies occurred (FBI Los Angeles; FBI
Sacramento; FBI Seattle; FBI Omaha and FBI Salt Lake City).