May 26, 2009 – The FBI is intensifying its search for the “Red Line Robber,” an armed robber who has struck eight Chicago banks, including the Chase branch at Marina City – twice.

The robber also struck MB Financial Bank, located one block south of Marina City in the Unitrin Building.

A $10,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to an arrest. Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago FBI office, says anyone with information about any of the robberies should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.

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 scattered on North State Street. The FBI believes he is the same person who robbed the Chase branch on December 5, also at about 3:15 p.m.

(Left) Surveillance photograph from the March 10 robbery at Marina City.

On May 12, the suspect entered the MB Financial branch, displayed a handgun, announced a robbery, and threatened a teller. He got away on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The robber is described as a black male, 30-35 years old, about six feet tall, 200 pounds, medium build, and bearded. He has worn sunglasses, a dark colored baseball cap, and a black bomber jacket during most of the robberies and a blue windbreaker in one robbery.

He was nicknamed Red Line Robber because all of the robberies were at banks close to stops on the CTA Red Line. Investigators believe he is taking a CTA train to and from the banks.

Asked if the nickname “Marina City Robber” had been considered, given that two of the robberies happened at Marina City, Special Agent Royden Rice said, tactfully, “If that were the only bank he robbed, then ‘Marina City Robber’ would be appropriate.”

Investigating the case is a task force comprised of FBI agents, CPD detectives, and investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Related story: $10,000 reward offered for Marina City bank robber