Notorious bank bandit nabbed in SB

SANTA BARBARA — A year-long investigation into the activities and whereabouts of a local area bank robber came to an end with the Dec. 31 arrest of 44-year-old Anthony William Frisco, infamously known as the “Red Sharpie Bandit” for the use of red marker pens used during a series of heists.

Frisco is suspected of involvement in at least 15 bank robberies ranging from San Clemente to Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Lt. Paul McCaffrey of the Santa Barbara Police Department indicated that multiple jurisdictions as well as the FBI have collaborated in the pursuit and apprehension of Frisco, and that his whereabouts had been traced to a residence on East Micheltorena Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Sustained surveillance of the apartment complex was conducted as additional information was gathered in support of an arrest warrant that was executed just as Frisco was exiting the apartment building on Thursday.

Frisco had no weapons or cash upon his person at the time of his apprehension, and the arrest was made without serious altercation.

With a criminal history indicating his involvement in several prior bank and armored car robberies — including the theft of $1.8 million from a Brinks vehicle in 1994 — Frisco is currently being held on armed robbery charges with bail at $500,000.