FBI nabs “Snowboarder Bandit”

A 29-year-old Riverside man was arrestedFriday nightin connection with the “Snowboarder Bandit” bank robberies in Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties.

Michael B. Franks will remain in custody over the weekend and was expected to be charged next week, Laura Eimiller of the FBI said.

Franks is suspected in at least 10 bank robberies in Orange County and
another at the BBVA Compass bank in Palm Springs.

In that local hold-upthe “Snowboarder Bandit”passed a note to a teller saying he was armed with a gun and demanded money.

He then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Franks’ arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and various local law enforcement agencies.

The “Snowboarder Bandit” had been marked as one of California’s most wanted robbers.

He earned the moniker because of the ski type clothes, he wore to disguise himself in most of the robberies that began back in December 2011.

We are staying on top of this developing story and will bring you the latest information as it comes in.