Man held in Phila. bank heist, accused in 3 more

Authorities yesterday arrested a man dubbed "the Broad Street Bandit" because he is suspected of robbing three Broad Street banks in a single week this month.

FBI agents seized Billy Ray Barker, 40, of Philadelphia, on the 2800 block of North 12th Street with help from members of the Philadelphia Court Warrant Unit, the FBI said.

Despite calling him a suspect, federal authorities refrained from charging Barker in the three heists. Instead, they charged him in the earlier Aug. 5 robbery of Wachovia Bank at 601 W. Erie Ave. in North Philadelphia. A federal warrant and complaint had been issued for Barker after that holdup.

After surveillance video from that heist was released to the media, "tipsters contacted the FBI, providing information which ultimately led to his identification and the complaint and warrant being issued," Special Agent Thomas Perzichilli said.

The FBI said it was still investigating the Broad Street robberies. Two were Aug. 13: At PNC Bank at 3244 N. Broad St. and Wachovia Bank at 2843 N. Broad St. The third was Thursday at Bank of America at 1650 N. Broad St.