SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - One has made headlines in the past couple days following his arrest after sixteen years on the run from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The other has made headlines for two years by robbing banks as an old geezer. Now theories are popping up online that mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger could be Southern California's serial bank robber.
Federal authorities described the capture of Bulger as the end of a long and exhaustive hunt. But now that the infamous mob boss is behind bars, the Internet is abuzz with theories that Bulger is another infamous criminal....The Geezer Bandit.
"Somebody else already asked me that one," said FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth.
Though the question has been brought up to the FBI, little else has been said about a possible connection.
With Bulger living in Los Angeles County he had easy access up and down the coast; where the Geezer hit 14 banks from August of 2009 until May of this year. Robberies that span from Santee and La Jolla, through Vista and Temecula and the latest in Morro Bay.
One of Bulger's neighbors referenced that he was a 'Cash Man' and authorities say they found $800,000 inside the former mob boss's Santa Monica apartment.
Though it's not clear how much the Geezer Bandit has made off with in his nearly two year jaunt up and down the coast, it's possible with at least 14 robberies the total could be near that mark.
Portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the movie 'The Departed', Bulger was never fingered for a bank robbery, so some could argue it's out of character. Others might say nothing is out of character for a man who lived his life as a mob boss.
Some San Diegans have mentioned that it would make a fabulous story, but others CBS 8 spoke to don't think the Geezer and Bulger are one and the same.
While there are similarities when looking at the variety of photos between the Geezer Bandit and James 'Whitey' Bulger, one can either draw the conclusion that it's not him, or he's wearing a mask that others, including the FBI, have theorized the Geezer may wear when pulling off the jobs.
Either way you slice, the FBI says they've found no connection between the two criminals at this time and that the investigation into the Geezer Bandit continues.
For now, Bulger faces 19 counts of murder, along with narcotics distribution, extortion, and money laundering charges.
