FBI Increases Reward To Catch 'Bully Bandit ' To $15,000
(STMW) -- The man dubbed the "Bully Bandit" by the FBI robbed his ninth bank in less than three months on Friday -- this time in the Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood. The FBI also increased the reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction to $15,000.
The robber entered the Chase Bank branch in the 3300 block of West Belmont Avenue about 2:20 p.m., approached a teller, and "loudly and aggressively" announced a robbery, FBI spokeswoman Joan Hyde said in a statement.
The man did not display a weapon, but kept one hand under a dark hooded sweatshirt, implying he had a gun, Hyde said. He fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The FBI said he is also suspected of robbing the North Community Bank branch in the 1600 block of West Chicago Avenue on Nov. 28, 2012;
— the Chase Bank branch in the 4400 block of West North Avenue on Dec. 6, 2012;
— the PNC Bank branch in the 6600 block of West Ogden Avenue in Berwyn on Dec. 11, 2012;
— the PNC Bank branch in the 6600 block of West Cermak Road on Dec. 27, 2012;
— the Plaza Bank branch in the 5600 block of West Belmont Avenue on Jan. 18;
— the Chase Bank branch in the 5600 block of West Belmont Avenue on Jan. 29;
— the Chase Bank branch in the 6500 block of West Cermak Road on Feb. 11; and
— the Chase Bank branch in the 4800 block of West Irving Park Road on Feb. 12.
In the Feb. 12 robbery, the suspect robbed a customer at the teller counter, the FBI said.
He is described as a 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8 Hispanic man in his late 20s or early 30s, with a medium build and mustache.
In Friday's robbery, he wore a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and gym shoes, Hyde said. He covered his face with a black scarf.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
