Bank Robbery Suspect Known as "Snowboarder Bandit" Pleads Not Guilty
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The man suspected of robbing several southern California banks plead not guilty to the charges in a Coachella Valley courtroom. 29-year-old Michael Brandon Franks was arrested last week after posting bail on prior robbery charges. Video by kmir6.com
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INDIO - The man suspected of robbing several southern California banks plead not guilty to robbery and burglary charges Wednesday in a Coachella Valley courtroom.
The suspect is 29-year-old Michael Brandon Franks of Riverside. Franks was arrested last week after posting bail on prior robbery charges. He's suspected of robbing at least three Coachella Valley banks and has been accused of robbing another 9 banks in southern California, mostly in Orange County.
Franks is accused of robbing a First California Bank in Palm Desert on May 4, a BBVA Compass branch in Palm Springs on April 20 and a Chase Bank in Rancho Mirage on April 11.
Banks has been on the F.B.I's Most Wanted List in southern California for several months. The suspect earned the nickname "Snowboarder Bandit" because of the ski attire he is seen wearing in surveillance video and photographs during the robberies.
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