A man in high-visibility work gear walked into an American Bank branch on South Alameda in Corpus Christi on Jan. 30, pulled off an armed robbery in broad daylight, and took off in a vehicle that headed down Staples Street. Now the FBI is asking the public to help track down the suspect it has dubbed the High-Vis Heister after posting surveillance images and a description on Wednesday.
FBI Releases Photos And Description
In a post on X, FBI Houston shared surveillance stills and described the suspect as a Hispanic male between 30 and 40 years old, about 5'9" tall with a medium build. Agents used the nickname "High-Vis Heister" in the post and urged anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225‑5324) or submit tips online.
Where The Robbery Went Down
Corpus Christi police told local reporters the robbery happened just after 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the American Bank on the 4100 block of South Alameda near Everhart Road. Investigators said the suspect left in a vehicle that drove down Staples Street as officers began responding to the scene. Police at the bank said they were coordinating with the FBI as the investigation continued, according to KRIS 6 News.
Branch Closure And Customer Notice
American Bank's website indicates the Alameda branch closed on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 30 and reopened during regular hours on Monday, Feb. 2. A branch notice directed customers to client services for assistance during the closure and apologized for any inconvenience, American Bank wrote.
Feds Point To Tough Sentences In Past Cases
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas have previously handled bank robbery cases tied to American Bank branches in Corpus Christi. A 2023 press release outlines a prosecution that followed a violent 2022 crime spree involving an American Bank robbery. That case ended with a multi-year federal prison sentence, underscoring how seriously law enforcement treats robberies at federally insured institutions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.
How To Share Tips With Investigators
The FBI asked anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225‑5324) or submit tips at tips.fbi.gov and noted that tipsters can remain anonymous, per FBI Houston. Investigators also urged residents to check any dash-cam or doorbell footage from the South Alameda and Staples Street area around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 for anything that might help the probe.
No arrests have been announced and investigators said the case remains active, according to KRIS 6 News. The Corpus Christi Police Department and FBI Houston said they will provide updates as new leads develop and thanked the public for any tips that could help identify the suspect.
