CHICAGO (STNG) -- A previously announced reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of a serial bank robber dubbed the “Time Bandit” has been increased to $40,000, the FBI announced Monday.
The man is believed responsible for the armed take-over robberies of at least 11 banks in the south and southwest suburbs since January 2005, according to a release from the FBI's Chicago office.
In the most recent theft, which took place July 25, the MB Financial Bank branch at 13900 South Bell Rd. in Homer Glen was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. According to witnesses, the robber entered the bank shortly before closing, brandishing a silver semi-automatic pistol, the release said.
He forced bank employees to the vault, where he ordered them to fill a blue duffle bag with cash. Although he threatened employees with harm if his instructions were not followed, no injuries were reported, the release said. He then fled the bank on foot.
The man has been given the moniker “Time Bandit” because he always instructs employees to count to 300 before summoning help, the release said.
The robber is described as a white male, 35 to 45, 6 feet to 6-foot 3-inches with a thin build, brown hair and blue or green eyes. As he has done in previous robberies, he wore a dark-colored ski mask and blue hooded sweatshirt or jacket to conceal his identity.
However, after exiting the bank, a security camera captured his image after he removed the ski mask, revealing for the first time, the robber’s face, according to the FBI.
Other thefts linked to the “Time Bandit” are as follows:
-- TCF Bank, 6410 West 127th St., Palos Heights, March 5
-- MB Financial Bank, 7000 County Line Rd., Burr Ridge, March 7
-- MB Financial Bank, 9701 S. Cicero, Oak Lawn, Feb. 7
-- TCF Bank, 2400 East Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, Feb. 2
-- Republic Bank, 9530 W. 131st St., Palos Park, Sept. 29, 2006
-- TCF Bank, 715 Plainfield Rd., Willowbrook, Nov. 9, 2005
-- TCF Bank, 6410 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, Sept. 16, 2005
-- MB Financial Bank, 5750 W. 87th St., Burbank, July 29, 2005
-- Citizens Financial Bank, 310 Weber Rd., Bolingbrook, Feb. 25, 2005
-- TCF Bank, 505 N. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort, Jan. 28, 2005
Anyone with information should call the Chicago FBI office at (312) 421-6700.
Copyright 2008 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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