A thief known nationwide by the FBI as the “Grandpa Bandit” has been caught and locked up in Indiana.
David Hunter, the aforementioned “Grandpa,” was captured at a casino Tuesday, ending what investigators call a seven-state crime spree.
Police believe Hunter is responsible for 10 armed robberies at Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores in seven states, including the Dollar General in Wilkes-Barre Township.
Police tracked Hunter to the casino in eastern Indiana where they captured him. He is currently in FBI custody.
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WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP -- They call him "The Dollar Store Grandpa Bandit," and the FBI is on his trail after a recent robbery in Wilkes-Barre Township.
Officials say the man has robbed dollar stores in more than half a dozen states since December.
Most recently, police believe he used a stun gun and handgun to rob the Dollar General store in Wilkes-Barre Township last Wednesday night.
"That's absurd. I’ve never heard of anything like that. 'Grandpa Bandit,'” laughed Candace Kopiak of Wilkes-Barre.
According to the FBI, the "Grandpa Bandit" is a male in his 50's or 60's, last seen driving a small dark sedan.
He's suspected of robbing stores in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming, and most recently, Pennsylvania.
"It's kind of a bizarre name. It's a little funny, too. He shouldn't be doing stuff like that. When he's caught, justice should be served,” said Zach Jacobson of Scranton.
Investigators say it is a little unusual that the "Grandpa Bandit" hit the Dollar General in Wilkes-Barre Township. He usually robs Dollar Tree stores, which makes them think he has some kind of inside knowledge about those stores and perhaps was a former employee.
"Maybe he likes cheap stuff. It's why I hit them,” laughed Kopiak.
"He should be ashamed of all people. When they find him, it's going to be a little embarrassing for him,” said Chris Rodrigues of Kingston.