Infamous 'Granddad Bandit' Admits to May 18 Robbery of Regions Bank on Lindbergh

Michael Francis Mara, 53, of Baton Rouge pleaded guilty Friday in federal court, admitting to robbing Regions Bank on Lindbergh Boulevard at Tesson Ferry Road.

Mara appeared in Virginia federal court, pleading guilty to two counts of robbery in Virginia as part of a deal in which he admits robbing 24 other banks in 14 states. including Regions Bank in Missouri.

His crime spree ended after two years when an Aug. 2010 tip in Norfolk, VA led to his arrest.

Mara was identified as the bandit in the May 18, 2010 heist of Regions Bank here, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Bank robbery is a federal crime.

Mara was dubbed the "Granddad Bandit" by investigators early on for his low-key style and apparent older profile. Mara wore hats and glasses, shielding his face from bank security cameras. He would slide a note demanding money over to a teller and after he got the loot, would ask for the note back and slip out the door. He did not appear to be armed.

Mara admitted he walked off with a total of $83,868. It was unclear whether that money was recovered.

In related news, Regions Bank got the OK Tuesday from the city of Sunset Hills over a conditional permit that would move a Sunset Plaza bank branch in the city over to 10501-10505 Watson Road.

Planners for the bank said they hoped to have the new branch, about 5,000 square feet, open by fall. It is expected to take three months to build. The Sunset Plaza branch would close. This is not the same branch that was held up by Mara.

There will be several drive-up banking stations at the site.

John Treppler owns an autobody shop next door to the proposed bank and he questioned whether the five feet between his property and the bank landscaping was sufficient for getting around both sites.

"Will it hamper parking for me?" Treppler asked city officials at a Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday.

City officials confirmed it is what it is.

Negotiation over bank signs at the site were ongoing, officials said.