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FBI Hoping For a Break To Nab Philadelphia-and-Suburbs Serial Bank Robber

By Molly Daly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Federal and local authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying the man they say robbed or tried to rob several banks over the past three weeks.

They say he struck again today at a Wells Fargo Bank on East Lancaster Avenue, in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

FBI special agent JJ Klaver says this guy has been busy, hitting eight banks since December 11th.

"He goes into the bank, presents a threatening note, and when he gets cash, flees with it," Klaver says.

The first three jobs were several days apart, but Klaver says now they are coming closer together.  On December 26th, he hit two banks in one day.

"It does concern us that we're up to so many robberies -- that's unusual, even for serial bank robberies, in such a short period of time, which leads us to conclude that there is a level of desperation on his part," Klaver tells KYW Newsradio.

And he says the robber hasn't displayed a weapon yet,  ut that doesn't mean he doesn't have one.

Authorities hope someone will recognize the suspect and call in a tip, so he can be taken off the street before someone gets hurt.

Before today's incident, the same subject is believed to be responsible for the following robberies:

12/26/2014 – PNC Bank, 101 South Easton Road, Glenside, Pa.

12/26/2014 – Wells Fargo Bank, 1575 North 52nd Street, Phila. (attempted robbery)

12/23/2014 – PNC Bank, 5900 North Broad Street, Phila.

12/22/2014 – Prudential Savings Bank, 1722 South Broad Street, Phila.

12/18/2014 – Valley Green Bank, 7226 Germantown Avenue, Phila.

12/15/2014 – PNC Bank, 230 South Broad Street, Phila.

12/11/2014 – Beneficial Bank, 1600 Chestnut Street, Phila. (attempted robbery)

 

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