Bully Bandit Reward Offered

Thomas R. Trautmann, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual believed responsible for up to four robberies in and around Chicago over a two-week period. Mr. Trautmann also announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual responsible for the robberies.

This robber, who has been dubbed the Bully Bandit for his aggressive demeanor in his encounters with both bank employees and customers, first struck on November 28, 2012, at a North Community Bank branch at 1600 West Chicago Avenue in Chicago. On this occasion as well as the three subsequent robberies he is believed to have carried out, the robber approached the teller window and demanded cash in a shouting, threatening manner. During the course of some of the robberies, he has even pushed customers out of his way to get to the teller window or to get out the door after getting cash from the tellers. To date, he has not displayed a weapon, nor have injuries been reported during the heists.

The same individual is also believed to have struck a Chase Bank branch twice in the span of a week. The bank, located at 4440 West North Avenue, was robbed on November 30 and again by the same person just six days later, on December 6. The latest robbery occurred December 11 at the PNC Bank branch located at 6620 West Ogden, in Berwyn.

Each time, the robber has worn a black jacket with a black hoodie underneath. He wore the hood pulled over his head and cinched tight around his face in an effort to conceal his identity. Witnesses reported that he kept the strings that tighten the hood in his mouth.

The Bully Bandit is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s, with black hair, brown eyes, and a mustache, 5’7” to 5’8” tall, with a medium build.

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.