$10,000 reward offered for Marina City bank robber

March 21, 2009 – The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in six recent bank robberies in Chicago, including a robbery on March 10 at the Marina City branch of JP Morgan Chase.

Now known as the “Red Line Robber” – because all of the robberies occurred close to CTA stops on the Red Line – the suspect has hit the Marina City bank twice. The first time was in December. His most recent robbery was on March 13 at a Chase branch in the South Loop. The FBI thinks he may be using the L to get to and from the robberies.

(Click on image to view larger version)

The suspect, seen here in a surveillance photograph, is described as a black male, 30-35 years old, about six feet tall, 200 pounds, medium build, and bearded. During his robberies, he has worn sunglasses, a dark colored baseball cap, and a black bomber jacket.

On March 10 at about 3:12 p.m., the man walked into the Chase branch at Marina City, displayed a handgun and announced a robbery. While leaving the bank, a security dye pack activated and cash was seen blowing around on North State Street.

FBI concerned violence could escalate

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, notes an escalating level of violence with each robbery. “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.”

Although there have been no injuries in any of the robberies, the FBI says the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone having any information is asked to call the Chicago FBI at 312-421-6700.