Police looking for one man who drove two cars in five bank robberies

A single suspect was being sought by police Friday in five recent bank robberies: in Edwardsville, Wood River, East Alton, Godfrey and Alton.

The man is described as a black male in his mid 20s to mid 30s. He has a small, thin build, weighing between 150 and 180 pounds, and is 5-foot 4 to 5-foot-8. He has a goatee. In the last robbery on Wednesday, his left arm was wrapped in a bandage or cast and was in a sling.

The robberies started on Nov. 29 at the U.S. Bank in Alton, where the suspect may have driven a dark 2005 to 2010 Chrysler 300 with a mesh grill and aftermarket chrome wheels, police say.

The next robbery was three weeks later at the Reliance Bank in Godfrey. The man appeared to wear large dark sunglasses and a black hoodie.

Two days later on Dec. 22, the same man robbed the Regions Bank in East Alton, and may have driven a dirty brown Chrsyler with Missouri registration.

On Jan. 2, the same man appears to rob the U.S. Bank in Wood River, this time wearing a yellow surgical-style mask and driving a 1999 to 2005 Volkswagen Jetta with possible temporary Illinois registration. The Jetta has a “unique red in color front grill,” police said.

At the most recent robbery Wednesday, the suspect had his left arm in a blue sling when he robbed the First MidAmerica Credit Union in Edwardsville.

The Madison County sheriff’s office is working with police departments in Alton, Wood River, East Alton and Edwardsville in the investigation.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the felony arrest if the tip is called into Crimestoppers at 866-371-8477.

This story was originally published January 12, 2018 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Police looking for one man who drove two cars in five bank robberies."