*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Contact:  Officer Joe Okies  #71

                 BPD Public Information Officer

                 (510) 981- 5752  

Berkeley Bank Robbery Part of a Series
Suspect Photos Released – Identification Needed

Berkeley, California (Wednesday November 9, 2005) – Over the last 18 months the suspect photographed above was involved in the following bank robberies:

1.       On 4/27/04 the suspect robbed the Bank of America located on Solano Avenue in Albany California.

2.       On 12/23/04 the same suspect robbed the Washington Mutual Bank located on San Pablo in Richmond, California. 

3.       On 10/20/05 the suspect robbed the Wells Fargo Bank on University Avenue in Berkeley.

In all three incidents the suspect used a demand note to commit the robberies.

The suspect is described as a: black male who is in his late 20’s to early 30’s, approximately 5’10” tall with a heavy build.  He has shoulder length dreadlocks and a goatee.  The suspect typically wears a hat when committing the robberies as well as a florescent orange construction style vest over a baggy shirt or sweatshirt. 

The Berkeley Police Department is working with the FBI in their efforts to identify and arrest this dangerous bank robber. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Berkeley Police Department’s Robbery Detail at 510-981-5742 or email tips to police@ci.berkeley.ca.us.  You may remain anonymous.