Gilbert Galvan Jr., also known as the “Bearded Bandit,” was a prolific bank robber who was eventually caught and sentenced to prison.
Gilbert Galvan Jr. gained notoriety for a string of bank robberies in Canada during the 1980s. Born in the United States, he crossed into Canada and embarked on what would become one of the most infamous crime sprees in Canadian history. Using a variety of disguises, including his signature fake beard, Galvan successfully robbed 59 banks and jewelry stores before his capture.
His criminal career began to unravel when a fingerprint left at a crime scene was matched to him. After being arrested in 1987, Galvan was charged with multiple counts of robbery and related crimes. He was convicted and received a lengthy prison sentence, reported to be 20 years, which at the time was one of the longest sentences ever handed down for robbery in Canada.
While in prison, Galvan made headlines again by escaping from the Matsqui Institution in British Columbia in 1991. However, his freedom was short-lived, as he was recaptured shortly after. After serving his sentence, he was released and deported back to the United States. Since his release, there has been little public information about his activities or whereabouts, and he has largely faded from the public eye.