news-record.com

Authorities are asking the public's help identifying two to three men dubbed the "Bluetooth Bandits" they said robbed eight banks in Greensboro since July 2006.

During at least two of the robberies, one of the men had a Bluetooth wireless device in his ear, hence the nickname "Bluetooth Bandits," according to a press release the FBI issued Tuesday.

Authorities believe they may have been using that device to communicate with others during the robbery.

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information that leads to arrests and convictions.

They are believed to be responsible for the following robberies in Greensboro:

• SunTrust Bank, 7804 National Service Road on Oct. 25 at approximately 10:15 a.m.

• Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union at 4910 West Market St. on Aug. 10 at approximately 10:35 a.m.

• SunTrust Bank at 4636 West Market St. on March 15 at approximately 1:45 p.m.

• SunTrust Bank at 612 College Road on Jan, 5 at approximately 9:15 a.m.

• First Citizens Bank at 4708 High Point Road on Nov. 10, 2006, at approximately 10:00 a.m.

• Mid-Carolina Bank at 5509-A West Friendly Ave. on Sept. 27, 2006, at approximately 9:45 a.m.

• Piedmont Aviation Federal Credit Union at 4910 West Market St. on Aug. 18, 2006, at approximately 9:43 a.m.

• Patrick Henry National Bank at 4004 West Wendover Ave. on July 19, 2006, at approximately 10:30 a.m.

In six of those robberies, two men were seen inside.

One of the men, armed with a large, semi-automatic pistol or a small black revolver, entered the bank and gained access to the vault.

A short time later, a second man entered and maintained control of the lobby while demanding money from the bank tellers, the FBI said.

During the Sept. 27 robbery of the Mid-Carolina Bank, a third man was seen inside.

In all of the robberies, they fled in a car, although the description varies.

The cars described are a black Honda Accord or Civic, a brown or gold Honda Accord, a light brown or gold Nissan Altima or Toyota Corolla, a black Infiniti, and a black SUV, possibly an Acura MDX.

They used a variety of coverings to disguise their appearances, including hooded sweatshirts, baseball caps, dark-colored bandanas, ski masks, sun visors, and sunglasses.

The FBI asks people with information to call 855-7770, the Charlotte office of the FBI at 704-377-9200, or Greensboro Crimestoppers at 373-1000.

Rewards of up to $20,000 are being offered by the North Carolina Bankers Association, the North Carolina Credit Union League, Crimestoppers of Greensboro, and Greensboro area banks and credit unions.