Guyana-born US army veteran arrested in ‘Iron Man’ bank robbery

Aug 09, 2013 News

Florida (Orlando Sentinel) – He was no Tony Stark. The man who posed as the multi-billionaire playboy’s armored alter ego, Iron Man, during a June bank robbery is finally behind bars, authorities say. And his identity is no longer a secret to Flagler County deputies.
The man behind the mask was Lakhram Mahadeo, 26, of Palm Coast, officials said late Wednesday.
He’s a cash-strapped Palm Coast man from South America who graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School, served in the U.S. Army, worked in the real estate industry and loves his hometown, records show.

Suspect: Lakhram Mahadeo

Deputies say Mahadeo dressed up like the famous Marvel superhero, ran into a Wells Fargo Bank on Belle Terre Parkway in Flagler County and waved a gun while demanding money at about 4 p.m. June 20.
He was wearing a plastic mask, tan jump suit, tan boots, gloves and a red and black backpack, a report said.
At one point, the robber climbed on the counter while demanding cash. He took off with $2,300.
“Investigators were able to recover the handgun and clothing used in the robbery but not the Iron Man mask,’’ the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.”
Investigators said [Mahadeo] was the owner of a maroon 2009 Honda Accord that was used during the commission of the robbery. The vehicle has since been repossessed.”
It wasn’t immediately clear what role, if any, the repossession of the Honda played in the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip about Mahadeo and discovered that he had a Honda that matched the description of the getaway vehicle.
Investigators interviewed him Wednesday at his home on Wellstone Place.
He was later taken into custody and charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and grand theft.
An arrest report only said he “was identified” as a suspect. He had military experience and financial problems, the report said without providing details.
His LinkedIn profile describes him as a ýRealtor.
On a different website, he is described as a “Guyanese male.”
On Facebook, he calls Palm Coast “America’s best kept secret.”
“During my years in the Army, I was fortunate enough to travel across The United States and various countries around the world; they were all unique in their own ways, but none as amazing as Palm Coast,’’ the Facebook post says.
“After leaving South America when I was thirteen, my family and I settled here because of the similar climate,’’ the post said. “I attended Indian Trails Middle School and Flagler Palm Coast High School (class of 2005). During the construction boom, I worked with Cole Electric; wiring new construction homes in Flagler County, times were truly good.”
He said Palm Coast went through a “dark period” that forced him and others to find work. He expressed optimism for the future because the recovery is in “full swing.”
“Our investigators did an excellent job in identifying the suspect in this case. I am pleased that we have been able to take this man off the streets before he hurts anyone or commits any other crimes,” Flagler County Sheriff James L. Manfre said in a statement.
Mahadeo is being held in the Flagler County Detention Facility with a $100,000 bond.