It’s sad, it’s funny, it’s against the law. It’s “Where’s Waldo” gone bad. A bank robber operating in the state of Oregon has been dubbed the “Where’s Waldo bandit” for his chosen robbing outfit of a striped shirt, glasses and a mop of hair. The FBI, like other law enforcement these days, seems to be quite hooked on bestowing the catchy name on a bank robber (the Bouquet Bandit) or other thief (the Santa Claus Bandit). That’s the funny.

According to the QMI Agnecy for the Toronto Sun, Facebook friends of the Where’s Waldo Bandit say he is a diabetic and needs the money from the robberies for his medical expenses. “It’s always been an issue for him to get coverage for his condition,” one friend told QMI. Robbing banks to pay for healthcare? That’s the sad.

The Oregonian reports other Facebook messages from Waldo indicate he idolizes the vanished robber D. B. Cooper, who disappeared with $200,000 and has never been found. Waldo has indicated he will hit Seattle next. Always a good idea to let the FBI in on what your plans are.

Federal authorities have not so subtle suggestions of their own that they would like pass on to the wanna-be Dillinger. “We need Ryan to turn himself in,” said Beth Anne Steele, spokeswoman for the FBI in Oregon. “Any time you have somebody out there who’s robbing banks, there’s certainly concerns it could escalate. And the best and safest thing for Ryan is to turn himself in.”

One more thematic element to bring into the story of the Where’s Waldo Bandit, and that is “empty.” The box the bandit toted into the bank claiming it was a bomb was found afterwards by police, empty. Much like the figures Waldo/Ryan seems to think are heroes, and maybe even the plans he is making, he is going to find out it’s all just … empty.

Related Resources:

  • FBI: Suspect ID’d In ‘Where’s Waldo’ Robbery (FOX12)
  • Robbery (FindLaw)
  • Is the ‘Geezer Bandit’ Really A Geezer? (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)

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