FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Locating the Holiday Bandit After He Robs Eighth Bank

The FBI is asking the public for help in locating Marat G. Mikhaylich, aka the Holiday Bandit, after allegedly robbing his eighth New York-area bank on Friday, February 25, 2011. Mikhaylich robbed a Sovereign Bank located at

541 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge, New Jersey

, around 1:45 p.m. Friday. Mikhaylich entered the bank, displayed a note, brandished a weapon, and demanded cash. He was last seen fleeing on foot.

Mikhaylich is a white male, approximately 6'3" to 6'5" tall, 35 years old, and approximately 200 pounds. He is from the Ukraine and speaks Russian. He often introduces himself to non-Russian speakers as Mark. During the most recent robbery, he was wearing a dark Sacramento Kings hat, dark sunglasses, a black jacket, dark jeans, and was carrying a black messenger bag.

A reward is available for a tip that breaks the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the New York Office of the FBI at 212-384-1000 or the Newark Office of the FBI at 973-792-3000. As always, tipsters may remain anonymous.

Other banks Mikhaylich has robbed include:

■Investors Savings Bank at 35-02 Broadway, Astoria, New York on Wednesday, Febuary 16, 2011

■Capital One Bank, located at

4612 13th Avenue

in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, February 13, 2011

■Capital One Bank, located at

1411 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York

on Friday, February 4, 2011

■Capital One Bank, located at 31-17 Broadway, Astoria Queens, New York on Wednesday, January 19, 2011

■Sovereign Bank, located at

24-29 Jackson Avenue, Queens, New York

, on Wednesday, December 30, 2010

■Ridgewood Savings Bank, located at

8522 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

, on Wednesday, December 23, 2010

■Sovereign Bank, located at 37-10 Broadway, Astoria Queens, New York, on Thursday, December 9, 2010