Serial Bank Robber 'Midday Bandit' Strikes Again: FBI

Photos: Bank surveillance photo of a man said to be the “Midday Bandit” taken at a Feb. 6, 2016 bank robbery in Chicago. Images from some of the dozen bank robberies he is believed to have robbed. | BanditTrackerChicago

The Midday Bandit, who is believed to have robbed a dozen banks across the Chicago area, has struck again.

Federal agents say the serial robber’s latest conquest is the BMO Harris branch at 5960 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago.

Achieving FBI nickname status because of the time of day that he strikes, the Midday Bandit walked into the bank branch around 11:37 a.m. Feb. 6 in what the FBI described as a non-takeover robbery.

• Also on Patch: FBI Intensifies Search for Serial Bank Robber Dubbed ‘Midday Bandit’

Earlier in the morning of Feb. 6, a man believed to be the Midday Bandit tried robbing the US Bank branch at 6700 W. North Avenue, Chicago, around 9:46 a.m., according to the FBI-run website Bandit Tracker Chicago.

The serial bank robber, a black man in his mid-twenties, has been laying low for past several months. He hasn’t pulled off a heist since Aug. 28, 2015, when the FBI said he robbed the Wintrust Bank, 3050 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago.

The Midday Bandit’s bank robbery spree began in 2014 at a TCF bank branch in Oak Lawn located inside a Jewel-Osco at 8801 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Since then, the feds claim he has knocked off or attempted to knock off a dozen banks between June 10, 2014 and Feb. 6, 2016, including:

1. TCF Bank 8801 S. Ridgeland, Oak Lawn, IL,. at 10:21 a.m., June 10, 2014.

2. TCF Bank. 1952 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL, 11:38 a.m. July 9, 2014.

3. TCF Bank. 6107 S. Archer Ave, Chicago, IL, 9:37 a.m. Aug. 18, 2014.

4. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem. Chicago, IL, 12:50 p.m. Sept. 22, 2014.

5. Plaza Bank. 3555 N. Harlem. Chicago, IL, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 2014.

6. Hoyne Savings Bank. 7001 W. Grand. Chicago, IL. Nov. 14, 2014.

7. TCF Bank. 2301 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL, 1:47 p.m. July 17, 2015.

8. US Bank. 6020 W Roosevelt, Oak Park, IL, 4 p.m. Aug. 3, 2015.

9. Wintrust Bank. 3050 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL, 3:11 p.m. Aug. 19, 2015.

Attempted to rob:

1. TCF Bank. 507 E. Woodlawn, LaGrange Park, IL, 10:42 a.m. July 16, 2014.

2. First Midwest Bank. 7181 W Irving Park, Chicago, IL, 9:22 a.m. Aug. 28, 2014.

3. US Bank, 6700 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL, 9:46 a.m. Feb. 6, 2016.

The FBI has intensified its search for the serial bank robber who has so far eluded capture, offering $10,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

During each heist, the serial bank robber entered the bank and approached a bank employee, threatening to harm employees and customers if he is given any trouble. He has mostly hit banks between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To date, there have been no physical injuries reported in connection with the robberies.

Witnesses describe the Midday Bandit as male, black, in his mid 20s, just under 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds with facial hair. He is considered armed and dangerous.

At the BMO Harris robbery, he was geared up for winter, wearing a blue jacket with tan sleeves, a black baseball hat with an “I.” Also, in the Feb. 6 robbery, witnesses gave the suspect’s age as his mid-thirties.

The FBI said the Midday Bandit has worn a variety of hats and glasses, including a distinctive “bucket Style” hat. He’s also work a black and white striped shirt in several of the robberies.

Anyone recognizing the Midday Bandit or having information about his whereabouts is strongly encouraged to call local police or the Chicago office of the FBI at 312-421- 6700.

Visit BanditTrackerChicago for more information and photos.