A series of bank robberies in the downtown Chicago area has the FBI asking for the public's help in catching another serial bank robber.
Agents hope a fictional TV character might provide a clue to the bandit's identity.
They say the suspect in surveillance photos resembles a character on the TV show "The Wire" and hope the connection might trigger someone's memory and lead to a tip.
The show character is called Stringer Bell, so the suspected real-life robber has been dubbed the "Stringer Bell Bandit."
Agents believe he is responsible for a total of five bank robberies in the Chicago loop.
The most recent holdup was at the Citibank at Madison and LaSalle on Thursday November 8. Agents say it was the third time he targeted a Citibank Branch bank in the downtown area. The other two include the branch at Adams and Franklin which was robbed on October 10th and a week later the robbery that happened at the Citibank at Washington and Dearborn.
Surveillance photos also indicate he robbed the PNC bank at Monroe and Dearborn on October 23rd and the Fifth/Third bank at Dearborn and Madison on November 2nd.
The five holdups have all been "non-takeover" robberies. At each of the banks, the robber approached the teller counter and handed the bank employee a note announcing the robbery and demanding cash. He has not shown a weapon, but has implied he has a weapon.
There is a reward of up to $2,000 for information that helps the FBI identify and arrest the Stringer Bell Bandit.
Here is the FBI's description of the Stringer Bell Bandit: He's a black male, 40-to-45 years old, about 5' 8'' tall, with a scruffy bears and glasses.
In each of the robberies he has worn a black skull cap with a visor. He is considered dangerous, if you see him you are asked to call police.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:57:51 GMT
The FBI is calling this individual the Brown Bag Bandit because in all his robberies he entered banks and handed the tellers notes written on brown lunch bags.
The FBI is calling this individual the Brown Bag Bandit because in all his robberies he entered banks and handed the tellers notes written on brown lunch bags.
Friday, April 12 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-04-13 02:57:15 GMT
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
Friday, April 5 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-04-05 19:56:00 GMT
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
Friday, March 29 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-03-29 19:53:58 GMT
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue.
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue at 167th in Tinley Park.
