Authorities say 'Grandpa Bandit' strikes again at Knoxville bank

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Authorities say the "Grandpa Bandit" has struck again at the same Knoxville credit union he was accused of robbing last week.

The FBI says Bobby Joe Phillips, described as a 69-year-old resident of Covington, Ga., robbed the Tennessee Members 1st Federal Credit Union at 11:16 a.m. Eastern.

Phillips presented the teller with a note demanding cash, authorities said. He had a handgun in his waistband but did not draw it and no one was injured during the robbery.

He escaped in a red Chevy S-10 pickup truck with Georgia tags.

Phillips is also suspected in six other bank robberies since September in Georgia and Tennessee, including the same credit union last Thursday. One of the Georgia robberies occurred in Suwanee.

Special Agent Gary Kidder said Phillips is an unusual case because of his age and because he makes no effort to disguise himself during the robberies.

Kidder said Phillips is not a suspect in two other Friday morning robberies in the Knoxville area.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/203868