Doylestown Bandit: 57-Year-Old Nabbed for 11 Bank Heists

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Richard Boyle, 57, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being arrested today by the FBI for a decade-long string of brazen bank robberies. The feds say Boyle systematically targeted banks across Montgomery and Bucks counties, pilfering nearly half a million dollars.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned April 19, 2017, lays out the details of Boyle’s alleged crime spree. He’s charged with 11 counts of bank robbery, each carrying a hefty potential sentence. But that’s not all. The indictment also slaps him with 10 counts of using or carrying a firearm during those robberies – a move that will significantly increase his potential time in the slammer – and another 10 counts of money laundering.

The total haul from the 11 robberies? A cool $495,686 in U.S. currency. Authorities allege Boyle didn’t just stash the cash; he attempted to clean it by funneling the stolen funds through his aerial photography business. A classic attempt to disguise ill-gotten gains, but one that ultimately led to his downfall. The investigation suggests a calculated effort to conceal the source of the money, hoping to live a seemingly legitimate life on the backs of stolen funds.

This wasn’t a quick series of smash-and-grabs. The robberies spanned a four-year period, from 2012 to 2016, indicating a level of planning and audacity that investigators found particularly troubling. Sources close to the investigation describe Boyle as meticulous in his approach, carefully selecting targets and timing his heists to minimize risk. But even the most careful criminal leaves a trail.

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and Fort Washington Resident Agency spearheaded the investigation, receiving crucial support from a massive coalition of local law enforcement agencies. The Horsham Township Police Department, Newtown Township Police Department, Lower Makefield Township Police Department, Upper Dublin Township Police Department, Upper Providence Township Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Whitpain Township Police Department, Plymouth Township Police Department, Montgomery Township Police Department, and Warminster Township Police Department all contributed to the case, alongside the Montgomery County and Bucks County District Attorney’s Offices. It’s a testament to the power of interagency cooperation when taking down a persistent criminal.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Livermore is prosecuting the case. If convicted on all counts, Richard Boyle could face decades in federal prison. This case serves as a stark reminder that no matter how carefully you try to hide your crimes, the long arm of the law will eventually catch up to you. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves through the legal system.