Suspected 'Dying Son Bandit' is arrested in Carlsbad
A man suspected of being the “Dying Son Bandit” was arrested Saturday in Carlsbad after a series of robberies and attempted robberies over the last two months in San Diego and Orange counties, authorities said.
Law enforcement officials say the suspect, Steven Craig Hart, told bank tellers he needed money for his gravely ill son and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply.
Hart, 49, was arrested about 12:30 AM outside his residence in Carlsbad, according to an FBI news release.
Investigators have determined that the references to a dying son were false, the release said. FBI representatives were not immediately available for additional comment.
He is also accused of robbing or attempting to rob banks in Encinitas and Oceanside in December.
This month, Hart allegedly robbed four banks and attempted to rob two others, authorities said. The latest robbery occurred Friday at a Citibank in Laguna Hills.
The FBI said in its news release that a tip from the public helped lead to Hart’s arrest.
Hart was booked Saturday morning and remains in custody at a detention center in Vista, Calif., the release said.
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