Alleged Adelaide bank robber dubbed 'bicycle bandit' arrested

Officers arrested a 73-year-old O'Sullivan's Beach man on October 13 after a long investigation.

His nickname was coined in reference to the alleged robber's getaway mode of transportation.

Regional South Australian branches of ANZ and Bank SA were targeted in 10 armed hold-ups and one attempted robbery between 2004 and 2014.

An estimated $250,000 was stolen over the ten year period, police said.

Detective Superintendent Billy Thompson said the crimes were "clearly thought through" and little evidence was available to police.

But the alleged robber was finally tracked down using "good detective work", he said.

"Hundreds" of suspects were investigated over 19 years, he said.

"It's really just a collective effort over time and piecing things together step by step."

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"This man was identified as a person-of-interest and we couldn't eliminate him from our enquiry."

Detective superintendent Thompson said the accused was implicated further as investigations continued.

A rifle used in each alleged robbery was found in the man's possession, police said.

He was charged with 10 aggravated robberies using a firearm and one attempted aggravated robbery using a firearm.