'Serial Bank Robber' Strikes in Royal Oak for Third Time

A Royal Oak bank is the latest target of a "serial bank robber," according to Federal Bureau of Investigations officials. 

On Feb. 22, a man entered the Citizen’s Bank at 800 S. Main St. with a handgun and got away with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect matches the description of a masked man believed to have robbed several banks in the area, according to FBI spokesperson Simon Shaykhet.

Since December, five other banks in Oakland County, including two on Main Street in Royal Oak, have been robbed. The other robberies occurred in Madison Heights, Berkley and Birmingham. 

Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said at this time the Royal Oak Police Department does not have a lot of details to release on Friday's bank robbery.  

"We are working with the FBI on this investigation," he said.

FBI offers $2,500 reward

The FBI is offering a $2,500 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the robber who officials say also is a suspect the following nearby robberies.

• Dec. 20: PNC Bank, 28841 John R in Madison Heights
• Dec. 26: PNC Bank, 225 S. Main in Royal Oak
• Jan. 15: Charter One, 200 S. Main St. in Royal Oak
• Jan. 28: Charter One, 27897 Woodward Ave. in Berkley
• Feb. 8: Comerica Bank at 1712 W. Maple in Birmingham

He also may have been involved in the Dec. 18 robbery of the 7-Eleven at 815 W. 11 Mile Road in Madison Heights, the FBI said.

The suspect is described as male between 5-feet 8-inches and 6-feet tall with a medium build, the FBI said. During the Birmingham robbery, he was described as wearing a black winter cap with a small brim, a black coat, black gloves and black shoes with a white sole. The robber also carried a black laptop style bag.

Contact the FBI at 313-965-2323, Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP (800-773-2587), the Royal Oak Police Department at 248-246-3500 or your local police department if you have information to report.