Nov. 08--The FBI thought the trail had long gone cold as they pursued the "Bully Bandit," who got his nickname because he would shove aside customers and scream at tellers.
It had been a year and a half since he had hit more than a dozen banks. Then came a spree in October: Ukrainian Village, Bucktown and Galewood.
The FBI sent out an alert Friday saying a $17,500 reward is still being offered for information about the robber, who held up his first bank in November 2012 in East Ukrainian Village. At least once, he has displayed a handgun but no injuries have been reported in any of the heists.
The banks hit recently included a Chase Bank branch at 1959 W. Division St. in the East Ukrainian Village on Wednesday, a North Community Bank branch at 1600 W. Chicago Ave. on Oct. 11 and a Chase Bank branch at 6612 W. North Ave. on Oct. 28, the FBI said.
In Wednesday's hold-up, the robber walked into the bank wearing a gray hoodie, white T-shirt, blue jeans and sunglasses, according to Chicago police.
"Gimme the money or I'm gonna hurt that woman sitting down over there,'' he said, according to the report.
The teller handed him $1,000 in $100 bills and the robber, who did not show a weapon, fled out the front door and ran south on Damen Avenue, authorities said. Witnesses noticed pink paint smudges on his hands and on the white hooded sweatshirt he wore.
The robber is described as Hispanic, in his late 20s to early 30s, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8 with a medium build. He has black hair and brown eyes and appears to have at least four gold-capped lower front teeth, the FBI said.
Anyone with information was asked to call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.
