'Make Yourself at Home Bandit' suspected of robbing Harmar betting parlor linked to 12 robberies in 7 states

The masked man who forced an employee to empty the safe of a Harmar off-track betting parlor last month may be wanted in connection to at least dozen robberies across seven states, police said Friday.

Lloyd Eugene Rhodes, 57, who has warrants out for his arrests from the FBI and several other agencies nationwide, has been dubbed by authorities as the “Make Yourself At Home” bandit because he’s accused of hiding in places overnight and robbing them when workers show up in the morning.

His suspected targets have included night clubs, betting parlors, restaurants and movies theaters in Colorado, Nebraska, Tennessee, Iowa, Arizona and Kentucky.

In several instances, he’s accused of dressing up like a janitor or employee of a business before robbing it.

Police are asking for the public’s help to find the suspected serial robber.

Earlier this week, someone told police they may have spotted him just north of Harrisburg in Marysville, Perry County.

TV show ‘Live PD’ helps police make connection

On Friday, Allegheny County Police detectives got a tip from someone who called after watching the TV show, “Live PD.”

The person said they saw someone wanted by the FBI who appeared to be similar to the man in surveillance footage released in connection to the Nov. 25 robbery of The Meadows off-track betting site in Harmar.

Investigators say they believe that Rhodes hid overnight inside the locked building on Anchor Drive in the shopping plaza anchored by Target just off Route 28.

When an employee arrived to open the door the next day, a man waiting inside confronted her, claimed to have a gun and forced her to open the safe, police said. The man grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and tossed it into a black trash bag.

He demanded the woman hand over her car keys, barricaded her in a room with no phone and drove away in her 2005 Ford Escape SUV, police said.

They immediately contacted police in Denver, whom they learned already are offering a $2,000 reward for any tips that lead to finding and prosecuting Rhodes for a spate of Denver crimes.

“Rhodes strongly resembles the suspect from the Meadows OTB robbery,” Allegheny County Police Inspector Andrew Schurman said Friday in a statement.

Police described Rhodes as a black man who is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 210 pounds. He has dark hair and gray and black facial hair.

The Ford Escape linked to the suspect has a state wildlife conservation plate, WR 23951, with a Slippery Rock University parking sticker on the driver’s side windshield. Some trim is missing from the front fender on the driver’s side.

Police asked anyone with information to call 911 or the Allegheny County Police at 1-833-255-8477 (1-833-ALL-TIPS). Callers can remain anonymous.