Jan. 03--A South Loop bank was robbed Friday evening, and the FBI said it was the work of the so-called Play-Along Bandit.
The robbery happened at 5:58 p.m. at the First American Bank branch at 1241 S. Wabash Ave., according to FBI spokeswoman Joan Hyde. No one was hurt.
The FBI said it was the Play-Along Bandit's seventh bank robbery.
The robber entered the bank and told a witness, "Don't try anything," according to a police report.
The robber then walked up to a teller and another person and handed a note to them. The note said: "I have a really large gun with lots and lots of bullets. Give me 100's and 50's only," the report said.
The staffers gave him about $1,300 before he fled south on Wabash, the report said.
The Play-Along Bandit is suspected of robbing six other banks since October:
--Dec. 20 at ABC Bank branch, 5645 W. Corcoran Place
--Dec. 6 at the Harris Bank branch, 1620 W. 95th St.
--Nov. 25 at the First Merit Bank branch, 1715 W. 47th St.
--Nov. 14 at the Citibank branch, 2000 W. 79th St.
--Oct. 28 at the Fifth Third Bank branch, 8140 S. Ashland Ave.
--Oct. 18 at the ABC Bank branch, 9443 S. Ashland Ave.
The robber has been dubbed the Play-Along Bandit because he tries to "blend in" and portray himself as a "legitimate bank customer" and even has been known to greet security personnel during the heists, according to a statement from the FBI.
He consistently wears what appears to be the same black knit skullcap, which has a small brim in the front. He is considered armed and dangerous.
The FBI earlier announced a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the robber.
Anyone with information about the robberies should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or local law enforcement.
