The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Columbus Police Department; and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference today appealing for the public’s assistance to identify a bank robbery suspect branded the Buckeye Bandit. This individual is alleged to be involved in at least 20 Columbus-area bank robberies between 2013 and 2015.

“We are confident someone in our area knows the identity of the Buckeye Bandit,” FBI Special Agent Tom Gill stated at the press conference. “He may be a neighbor, a co-worker, a classmate, or an acquaintance. We are hoping the community will take notice, look a little closer, and think carefully about whether they have information that could possibly solve this case.”

The FBI has established a Buckeye Bandit tip line at (614) 849-1896 and encourages anyone with information on the suspect to share it with law enforcement. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by the FBI for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of this bank robbery suspect. Crime Stoppers of Central Ohio is offering an added $2,000 reward in this case.

The Buckeye Bandit is described as a black male, approximately 25 to 35 years old. According to witnesses, he is believed to be 5’11” to 6’0” tall, 180 to 200 pounds, with an athletic build. In some of the robberies, he has worn a mustache. During several of the robberies the suspect wore Ohio State University apparel, garnering the moniker the Buckeye Bandit. In more recent robberies, he has worn winter clothing, including a scarf around his face.

The Buckeye Bandit is a suspect in robberies committed in Columbus, Gahanna, Worthington, Upper Arlington, and at The Ohio State University. The suspect is also believed to be responsible for robbing a Columbus pharmacy on three separate occasions. The unidentified robbery suspect is considered armed and dangerous. He has displayed a handgun during many of the robberies.

The most recent incidents the Buckeye Bandit is alleged to have been involved with include the January 31, 2015 robbery attempt at the Wright-Patt Credit Union at 3134 North High Street in Columbus and a robbery on the same day at the Huntington National Bank North Arlington branch located at 4661 Reed Road in Upper Arlington.

Pictures from some of the robberies:

January 31, 2015: Wright-Patt Credit Union 3134 North High Street, Columbus	January 31, 2015: Huntington National Bank 4661 Reed Road, Upper Arlington
December 23, 2013: Huntington National Bank 1600 Bethel Road, Columbus	January 7, 2014: First Community Bank 2121 Bethel Road, Columbus