$10,000 Reward Offered in Search for “Red Line Robber”

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual depicted in the attached wanted flyer, who is believed responsible for the armed robbery of at least six (6) Chicago banks, dating to December of last year.

In the most recent theft, which took place on Friday, March 13th, the robber entered the Chase Bank branch, located at 850 South Wabash Avenue, brandishing a handgun. He forced a bank employee sitting in the lobby area to accompany him to the teller’s window, where he announced a robbery and threatened both employees with harm, if his demands were not met. During the exchange, the robber specifically warned against slipping him a security dye pack, indicating that he would return and shoot both employees if one activated when he left the bank. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber then fled on foot, disappearing into the passing crowd.

Other robberies attributed to the “Red Line Robber” are the Chase Bank branch, located at 340 North State Street on December 5th and March 10th; the North Community Bank branch, located at 5342 North Broadway and the Bank of America branch, located at 7900 South Halsted, both on January 23rd; and the MB Financial Bank branch, located at 6443 North Sheridan Road also on March 10th.

The “Red Line Robber” is described by witnesses as a black/male, 30 – 35 years of age, 6’ – 6’2” tall, 200 lbs., medium build with a beard. He has worn sunglasses, a dark colored baseball cap and a black colored bomber jacket during all of his robberies. He has also been armed with a handgun during each theft and as such, should be considered Armed and Dangerous.

He has been given the moniker “Red Line Robber” as all of his suspected thefts have occurred at bank branches located in close proximity to stops on the CTA’s Red Line, leading investigators to believe that he is riding a CTA train to and from the banks.

In making this appeal to the public, Mr. Grant noted the escalating level of threats associated with these robberies. Said Mr. Grant “We are very concerned that the public is at risk as long as this individual remains at large. History has shown that serial robbers continue to strike until they are caught and the more often he strikes, the greater the likelihood that someone will get hurt.”

Mr. Grant also announced that a reward of up to $10,000 was being offered for any information leading to the identification and arrest of the “Red Line Robber”. Anyone recognizing this individual or having any information about any of the robberies detailed in this release is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700.

This case is being investigated by the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of FBI Special Agents, Detectives from the Chicago Police Department and Investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional copies of the attached wanted flyer are available from the Chicago FBI’s press office at (312) 829-1199.