Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a 41-year-old man has confessed to being the so-called “Bearded Bandit,” a robber suspected of knocking over 17 banks since 2004.

Police say Michael Gene Terrelonge confessed to the string of hits while in custody on charges that he robbed a Wachovia bank branch Oct. 1 in the 10000 block of Couloak Drive.

Also implicated, police say, was 42-year-old Latries George Murphy.

Police did not indicate what evidence they might have against the two men.

The Bearded Bandit was so named because he frequently wore a beard as part of his disguise. In addition, authorities said, he also frequently wore dark glasses, a hat, heavy makeup, a wig and surgical gloves. He even wore padding to disguise his body, authorities say.

Terrelonge and Murphy were arrested Oct.1, moments after police responded to the Wachovia robbery. They bonded out on state charges and were outfitted with electronic monitors.

The U.S. attorney indicted both men Dec. 15 on federal charges relating to the Wachovia heist, and both were re-arrested Dec. 18.

Neither was charged with the string of robberies attributed to the Bearded Bandit, but CMPD officials said Tueaday that they anticipate that additional charges will be filed against the two.

Police attribute the following robberies to the Bearded Bandit:

-- June 29, 2004: BB&T, 101 Queens Road.

-- July 30, 2004: US Airways Federal Credit Union, 2830 Boyer Street

-- July 7, 2005: Clearview Federal Credit Union, 2830 Boyer Street.

-- Aug. 9, 2005: RBC Bank, 14925 John J. Delaney Drive.

-- Oct. 19, 2005: RBC Bank, 230 East W.T. Harris Blvd.

-- Dec. 30, 2005: Wachovia Bank, 1527 West Morehead Street.

-- June 5, 2006: First Citizens Bank, 7837 Pineville-Matthews Road.

-- Nov. 1, 2006: RBC Bank, 1000 East Blvd.

-- June 5, 2007: Clearview Federal Credit Union, 2830 Boyer Street.

-- April 3, 2008: First National Bank, 529 South New Hope Road., Gastonia.

-- Oct. 20, 2008: RBC Bank, 14925 John J. Delaney Drive.

-- Oct. 30, 2008: RBC Bank, 1000 East Blvd.

-- Nov. 25, 2008: Wachovia Bank, 10210 Couloak Drive.

-- Jan. 6, 2009: SunTrust Bank, 7801 Pineville-Matthews Road.

-- July 3, 2009: Bank of Granite, 3920 Sharon Road.

-- Aug. 20, 2009: RBC Bank, 1000 East Blvd.

-- Oct. 1, 2009: Wachovia Bank, 10210 Couloak Drive.

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