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2 found guilty in Band-Aid Bandit trial

As the bank robber and his accomplice - who eluded police for years - are convicted, the tellers they terrified rejoice.

By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published April 13, 2007

TAMPA - He robbed dozens of banks throughout west-central Florida, wearing a wig, a false mustache and a small, white bandage.

For six years, he eluded police. But on Thursday, after an eight-day trial, a federal jury found the man authorities called the Band-Aid Bandit guilty of all 13 counts he faced, including six counts of armed bank robbery, six counts of illegal use of a firearm and one count of conspiracy.

Rafael Rondon, 47, could be sentenced to up to 132 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday. Rondon's accomplice and former brother-in-law, Emeregildo Roman, 54, also was convicted. He could face up to 107 years in prison.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Neither Rondon nor Roman showed any emotion as the verdicts were read. Rondon's sister, who is Roman's ex-wife, sobbed.

But there was celebration among the tellers victimized by the bandit, several of whom were in the courtroom Thursday.

Joseph Atanasio, former branch manager of the Mercantile Bank in Tampa, which was robbed by the bandit and his accomplice in October 2005, said he was grateful to the law enforcement officers who caught and prosecuted Rondon and Roman.

"We finally have some closure on this awful life experience," Atanasio said. "It feels so good."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Murphy Davis said she was pleased by the verdicts and credited the overwhelming evidence collected by the Band-Aid Bandit task force.

"I especially applaud the verdict on behalf of the tellers, the victims and everybody that was put through this horrible ordeal," Murphy Davis said. "Hopefully, they can move on with their lives now."

Daniel Hernandez, Rondon's attorney, declined to comment. He said he plans to appeal. Roman's attorney, Terry Christian, also declined to comment.

The Band-Aid Bandit began robbing banks in 2000. Authorities believe he is responsible for at least 39 heists from Sarasota to Spring Hill.

Police gave the bandit his nickname because he frequently wore a bandage, which covered a distinctive mole on his left cheek.

Fast Facts:

The robberies

Rafael Rondon and Emeregildo Roman were found guilty of the following robberies:- Oct. 22, 2004: Capital City Bank, Spring Hill.- Dec. 9, 2004: Gold Bank, Sarasota.- May 17, 2005: Colonial Bank, New Port Richey.- Oct. 28, 2005: Mercantile Bank, Tampa.- Dec. 22, 2006: Wachovia Bank, Hudson.- July 13, 2006: Fifth Third Bank, Pinellas Park.

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 00:59:37]