FBI offers reward up to $1,000 for info leading to 'Play-Along Bandit'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of an "armed and dangerous" bank robbery suspect dubbed the "Play-Along Bandit."

Authorities believe the suspect to be responsible for at least five bank robberies on Chicago's South Side, the most recent at the Harris Bank branch in the 1600-block of West 95th Street in the city's Beverly neighborhood last Saturday.

In that incident, the FBI said the suspect approached the bank teller, demanded cash and implied he was armed - but he did not show a weapon. The suspect was dubbed the "Play-Along Bandit" because he acts like a real bank customer before each robbery. He even greets the security guards, the FBI said.

The man is suspected in four other robberies:

At the ABC Bank branch located in the 9400-block of South Ashland Avenue on Oct. 18

At the Fifth Third Bank branch in the 8100-block of South Ashland Avenue on Oct. 28

At the Citi Bank branch in the 2000-blck of West 79th Street on Nov. 14

At the First Merit Bank branch in the 1700-block of West 47th Street on Nov. 25

The suspect is described as a black man in his late 20s around 5 ft. 8 in. tall, wearing a black knit skull cap with a small brim in the front. He has worn a number of different jackets and an orange safety vest in the robberies.

Anyone with information regarding the "Play-Along Bandit" should contact the Chicago FBI office at (312) 421-6700 or local law enforcement.

Surveillance image of bank robbery suspect dubbed the "Play-Along Bandit" by the FBI. (FBI)