FBI Seeking Information in Search for Suburban Serial Bank Robber
Reward of up to $5,000 Offered

CHICAGO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation is requesting assistance from the public and offering a reward in their effort to identify and locate the individual they have dubbed the Hooded Bandit, believed to have carried out at least five bank robberies in the northwest suburbs since February of this year. The nickname stems from the robber’s habit of covering his head with a hood during the commission of each of the robberies.

Robert J. Holley, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the FBI, made the request today as he announced that a reward is being offered in the case. There is now an offer of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the Hooded Bandit, pictured below.

The Hooded Bandit’s most recent robbery occurred on Monday, when he struck the Chase Bank branch located at 123 West Main Street in Bensenville. The robber approached the teller window and quietly made a demand for money, and after receiving cash from the teller, he left the bank on foot. Although no weapon was displayed during the Monday robbery, he was armed with a silver handgun during the first robbery he is believed to have committed. That robbery occurred on February 15, 2013, at the BMO Harris Bank branch located at 130 West Devon in Wood Dale. During the course of his robbery spree, he struck another Wood Dale bank and the Charter One branch located at 333 East Irving Park Road on November 15, as well as the same Rolling Meadows Charter One Bank branch twice, on April 19 and again on December 2.

The Hooded Bandit is described as a white male, 50 to 60 years old, weighing approximately 165 pounds. While he has kept his head covered during all of his robberies, witnesses have described him as having gray facial hair.

Anyone recognizing this individual or having any information about the robberies is asked to call the Chicago office of the FBI at (312) 421-6700. This case is being investigated by the FBI in coordination with local authorities.

Photographs and additional information about the Hooded Bandit, including a list of all the robberies he is believed to have committed, are available from the Chicago Bandit Tracker website, www.bandittrackerchicago.com.