Oct. 22--The FBI announced a reward Thursday for the capture of a suspect the agency is calling the "North Center Bandit," who has committed four bank robberies since mid-August.
The man has robbed three banks -- one of them twice -- in or near the North Center neighborhood since Aug. 21, according to a release from the FBI. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for the man's capture.
In the most recent incident, the man robbed a Chase Bank branch at 3335 N. Ashland Ave. about 4:10 p.m. Tuesday. He is thought to be the same man who robbed that bank branch about 4 p.m. Aug. 27, according to the FBI.
The man also is suspected of robbing a Chase branch at 3339 W. Belmont Ave. about 4 p.m. Sept. 25 and a PNC Bank branch at 4201 N. Lincoln Ave. about 2:25 p.m. on Aug. 21.
In all of the robberies, the man went into the bank, approached a bank employee and threatened to harm the employee if he wasn't given money, according to the FBI.
The robber is described as a white man, age 25 to 35, about 6 feet to 6-foot-2 and 180 to 210 pounds. In three of the robberies, he has worn a plaid shirt and a baseball cap; in two of them, including the one Tuesday, he has worn a dark suit, a striped tie and sunglasses.
Anyone with information about the robber is asked to call the Chicago office of the FBI at 312-421-6700, or call police.
