Masked bandit sentenced to 32 years in Delaware County robberies

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for a series of armed robberies.

Blair Thomas Jr., 30, of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, was convicted in April 2015 of robbing a bank, attempting to rob postal employees at two post offices and with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

In addition to his sentence, Thomas was given three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,891 and a $600 special assessment.

In each incident, police say Thomas wore a "Inspector Clousea" mask and was armed with a .45-caliber Ruger semi-automatic handgun.

On Jan. 22, 2014, Thomas entered postal offices in Yeadon and Dabry, Pennsylvania - brandishing a gun in one instance - demanding 10 $1,000 money orders, police say.

The following day, police say Thomas entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and displayed a note announcing a robbery and fled with around $1,890.

Police released surveillance video of the robberies to local news outlets, which generated a tip that led investigators to the mask manufacturer who in turn led them to Thomas.

A search warrant was executed less than a week later where the mask and firearm used in the robberies were recovered, police say.

Two days later, police say a search of Thomas' car uncovered, among other items, a notebook with specific details from the robberies.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Springfield, Yeadon and Darby Police Departments all aided the investigation.