Updated at 12:35 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2001

FBI says suspect brazenly robbed 4th bank

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff

Edward Leiffer is considered armed and dangerous.

Although the FBI has circulated his photo across O'ahu and charged him with three bank robberies, Edward D. Leiffer walked into a fourth bank yesterday and demanded cash, police said.

Leiffer is suspected of robbing the Airport Branch of Hawai'i National Bank at 11:24 a.m. yesterday, according to the FBI. He is a suspect in three other bank robberies, all in July.

Honolulu police blame Leiffer's behavior on addiction to crystal methamphetamine.

"This is another good example of how people will act inappropriately to get their drug," Detective Letha DeCaires said today. "This is becoming more routine, to see people doing more outrageous crimes in the midst of overwhelming evidence. They just don't care. Consequences mean nothing to them."

Leiffer has 20 previous convictions, including three felony and seven misdemeanor convictions.They range from assault to terroristic threatening to promoting a dangerous drug.

FBI spokeswoman Pam McCullough said he is wanted on a federal warrant for the July 10 robbery of City Bank in Kapahulu, July 28 robbery of American Savings Bank's Kane'ohe-Kahuhipa branch and July 30 robbery of American Savings in Pearl City. There is an outstanding parole revocation warrant on him as well.

In the latest robbery, FBI officials said Leiffer passed a note to the Hawai'i National Bank teller and demanded money be put in a plastic grocery bag before leaving on foot, northbound on Lagoon Drive.

Police tried tracking him yesterday from Kalihi to 'Aiea.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the FBI at 566-4300.

Advertiser staff writer Kapono Dowson contributed to this report.