“Incognito Bandit” Nabbed at Dulles, Facing Bank Robbery Charge

BOSTON – A man authorities dubbed the “Incognito Bandit” is in custody after a dramatic arrest at Dulles International Airport in Virginia last night. Albert Taderera, 36, of Brighton, Massachusetts, was apprehended as he attempted to flee the country on a flight to South Africa and will now face charges for a string of brazen bank robberies.

Taderera has been charged by criminal complaint with the October 7, 2016, robbery of a TD Bank branch in Wayland, Massachusetts. He is scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court for the District of Eastern Virginia on Monday, March 27, 2017, for his initial appearance. Federal prosecutors are likely to pursue a hefty sentence if convicted.

The FBI has been tracking a pattern of 16 bank robberies across the Metro-West and Greater Boston areas between February 2015 and March 2017. The robber consistently employed a disguise: a dark hooded sweatshirt, face mask and sunglasses, dark gloves, and dark clothing. In each incident, the suspect verbally demanded money while brandishing what tellers described as a black semi-automatic handgun. The MO was chillingly consistent.

Investigators noticed a disturbing trend in the robberies. All targeted banks were freestanding structures with adjacent wooded areas, providing a clear escape route. Witnesses frequently observed the suspect fleeing into these woods, then speeding away in a black BMW sedan. This vehicle became a key focus of the investigation. On March 16, 2017, Concord Police spotted the BMW outside a local bank and, crucially, discovered it was registered to Taderera and had a revoked registration. The vehicle was impounded.

The break in the case came when Taderera himself called the tow company on March 22, 2017, inquiring about his BMW. He was informed the vehicle was in police custody. This prompted authorities to monitor his movements. On March 23, 2017, the FBI learned Taderera had booked a flight from Dulles International Airport to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, scheduled for March 24, 2017. He later rebooked for a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, at 5:45 p.m. that same day. He was arrested before he could board.

If convicted, Taderera faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. However, actual sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of the Major Crimes Unit. The announcement of the arrest was made jointly by Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb, FBI Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations William Ferrara, and Concord Police Chief Joseph F. O’Connor.