February 11, 2003

* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

                      BANK ROBBER ELUDES POLICE
                            Help Needed In Identifying Him

Berkeley, CA. – On Monday, February 10, 2003, at approximately 11:00am, a man believed to be between 45-50 years old calmly walked into Cal Fed Bank, 2000 Shattuck Avenue. He handed a note to the teller that demanded cash and made off with an undisclosed amount of money. Detectives from the Berkeley Police Department Robbery Detail confirm that this suspect has been making the rounds in downtown Berkeley and is responsible for at least 3 (three) Berkeley bank robberies, as well as one bank robbery in the City Of Oakland. So far he has eluded police.

Information offered by witnesses, as well as review of bank surveillance photographs provide the following description:

Black Male, 45 - 50 years old, approximately  5’7”, 155 lbs

wears large framed sunglasses with a goggle like appearance

His clothing has varied on each occasion.

**surveillance photos available upon request**

The suspect’s rounds began on January 13 when he robbed the Cal Fed Bank for the first time. On January 16^th, he robbed the Bank of America, 1536 Shattuck Avenue. In each case, he has handed a demand note to a teller, obtained amounts of cash and fled the banks on foot.

BPD Robbery Detectives are asking the community’s help in identifying this suspect. If you have any information regarding these crimes, or know whom this suspect may be, please contact Sergeant Ed Spiller or Detective Steve White at  (510) 981-5742. You may remain anonymous.