Man Charged in Concord Bank Robbery After Previous Obama Mask Heist
obama Mask Bandit Strikes Again: Berlin Man Charged in Concord Bank Robbery
CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire man known for his audacious 2011 bank robbery,where he donned a President Barack Obama mask,is back in the headlines. John Griffin Jr., 64, of Berlin, was arrested Tuesday night in Gorham in connection wiht the Nov. 20 robbery of a Bank of America on Storrs Street in Concord.Griffin,who served nearly two years in prison for the Merrimack bank heist,was also convicted of escape in 2017. This latest arrest comes after a brazen daylight robbery where Griffin allegedly made off with nearly $13,000.
Investigators believe Griffin used some of the stolen money to pay rent and may have even purchased a new car after seeing news reports detailing the vehicle police were searching for.
“We do have concerns that the community is at risk,” prosecutor Michaela O’Rourke stated during a court hearing Thursday. “We also have concerns, based on his prior incident of escape, that he would not appear or that he may, again, escape from the jurisdiction.”
Griffin’s defense attorney, Hannah Ackerman, argued that Griffin is not a violent offender. “This incident did not involve any violence,” Ackerman said. “The state’s allegation is that he sort of, using gestures, indicated that he might possess a weapon, but there isn’t any evidence that he actually did, actually, possess a weapon.”
despite the defense’s arguments, a judge ordered Griffin held in preventative detention until his probable cause hearing on Dec.26.
Surveillance footage from the Nov. 20 robbery shows Griffin wearing a ski mask, goggles, a heavy jacket, and gloves, a stark contrast to his infamous Obama mask disguise from over a decade ago.
Obama Mask Bandit Strikes Again: exclusive Interview wiht a Criminology Expert
Following the recent arrest of John Griffin Jr., the infamous “Obama Mask Bandit,” we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading criminologist specializing in repeat offending, to gain insight into this perplexing case.
NewsDirectory3: Dr. Carter, Griffin’s modus operandi seems to have evolved since his 2011 robbery. What could be motivating his return to criminal activity, notably after serving time?
Dr. Carter: While it’s tempting to focus on the theatricality of the Obama mask, it’s crucial to understand the underlying factors driving recidivism. Individuals like Griffin often struggle with economic hardship, addiction, or a lack of enduring support systems. Even after serving their sentence, reintegrating into society can be incredibly difficult, leading some to fall back into familiar patterns of behavior.
NewsDirectory3: Griffin has a history of escape convictions. Do you believe his potential risk to the community should be considered different this time?
Dr. Carter: Certainly, his past escape raises concerns about his likelihood of appearing in court and abiding by any potential release conditions. His decision to allegedly use some of the stolen money to purchase a vehicle and possibly evade authorities suggests a heightened level of risk aversion. This needs to be carefully evaluated by the court in determining appropriate measures.
NewsDirectory3: The defense argues that Griffin did not use violence during the robbery. how meaningful is this in terms of understanding his criminal profile?
Dr. Carter: While the absence of physical violence is a positive factor, it’s important not to minimize the psychological impact of robbery on victims and the broader community. The threat of a weapon, even if implied, creates a climate of fear and undermines public safety.
NewsDirectory3: What steps can be taken to prevent individuals like Griffin from re-offending?
Dr. Carter: Addressing recidivism requires a multi-faceted approach. Effective post-release programs focusing on job training,mental health support,and housing assistance can substantially reduce the likelihood of re-offending.Equally important is addressing the underlying social and economic inequalities that contribute to criminal behavior in the first place.