Detectives that include members of the King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle PD, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force are investigating a series of 5 armed bank robberies they are referring to as "Big Top Bandits that have occurred within King County since January 2013.

Three robberies have occurred in King County jurisdiction and two more in the City of Seattle. They are considered to be linked and the number of suspects is part of the investigation. Handguns were displayed and pointed in each of the robberies. Despite customers and employees the suspects went through with the crimes.

Up until a Bank of America robbery on July 1 only one suspect was seen entering the bank. On that day two suspects entered together.

On May 22, 2013 a gun was fired inside the bank by a suspect during a robbery of the the Washington Federal Bank in Seattle.

On June 8, 2013 the Burien Sterling Savings Bank was robbed and a bank teller was struck in the face by a suspect.

They have released surveillance photos for the first time of a suspect vehicle believed to have been used in the February 28, 2013 Key Bank robbery. This vehicle is a blue 1983 – 1987 Mercury Marquis – "very stock in appearance."

- A reward is being offered through Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest and charge of person(s) involved. (To be eligible for the reward, a person must provide the information through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

- Tips can also be called in to the KCSO Communication Center (206-296-3311) or 911

Robbery locations to date;

1-16-13 Newcastle branch of Key Bank (KCSO)
2-28-13 Rainier Ave branch of Key Bank (SPD)
5-22-13 Rainer Ave branch of Washington Federal Bank (SPD)
6-8-13 Burien branch of Sterling Savings Bank (KCSO)
7-1-13 Newcastle branch of Bank of America (KCSO)