Man charged in string of bank robberies across Twin Cities

A man with addresses listed in both Eden Prairie and Woodbury has been charged in a string of bank robberies across the Twin Cities.

Zahir Mohamednazir Bachelani, 38, faces multiple charges, including aggravated robbery and simple robbery, in connection with bank heists that took place between March and August 2024 in Eden Prairie, Woodbury and Oakdale.

According to a Hennepin County criminal complaint, Bachelani’s first known robbery occurred at the Old National Bank in Eden Prairie on March 28. He allegedly handed a teller a note demanding $8,000 and claiming an accomplice was waiting outside. The teller provided $6,824, which included marked bills. Eden Prairie police later released surveillance images of the suspect wearing a yellow surgical mask and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.

Additionally, Bachelani is accused of robbing two banks in Woodbury and one in Oakdale, according to a separate Washington County criminal complaint. In the June 14 robbery of Huntington Bank in Woodbury, Bachelani allegedly disguised himself in a long black and purple dress, gloves and a wig. He left the bank with $700. Two weeks later, on June 29, he is accused of robbing a U.S. Bank in Oakdale, stealing $4,000. His final robbery occurred on Aug. 3 at Wells Fargo Bank in Woodbury, where he fled with $370 after handing the teller a note claiming he was armed.

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Investigators traced Bachelani’s silver Hyundai Sonata to one of the crime scenes, and a tip from a coworker helped lead to his arrest in Woodbury on Aug. 5. During an interview with authorities, Bachelani said financial struggles and mounting medical bills had pushed him to commit the crimes. Despite writing in his notes that he had an accomplice, he told authorities he acted alone in each of the robberies.

One point of note is the discrepancy regarding Bachelani’s listed addresses. While the Hennepin County complaint for the Eden Prairie robbery lists his residence as Eden Prairie, the Washington County complaint for the Woodbury and Oakdale robberies lists his address in Woodbury.

Currently out on bail, Bachelani awaits trial. In Washington County, the Woodbury News Net reported that a judge ordered a mental competency evaluation earlier this month to determine whether Bachelani is fit to stand trial, with his defense team indicating that it may pursue a mental illness defense.

If convicted, Bachelani could face up to 15 years for aggravated robbery and up to 10 years for each simple robbery charge.