FBI Announces Reward For Info About 'Cotton Ball' Bandit

By Bay City News

The FBI has announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a bank robber dubbed the "Cotton Ball Bandit."

The middle-aged white man is suspected of robbing seven banks in the Marin County since December 12. He has worn a brown, knit beanie with earflaps and a "cotton ball" on top during the heists, FBI spokeswoman Julianne Sohn said. He has also been seen wearing a black raincoat, black leather gloves and eyeglasses. In the robberies, the suspect enters a bank and gives a teller a demand note, then flees with the cash.

The most recent robbery was of a Redwood Credit Union in San Rafael on Sept. 4. He also is suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank and Chase Bank in Corte Madera, a Citibank and Union Bank in Mill Valley and a Union Bank and Chase Bank in Greenbrae. The suspect is described as being between 40 and 50 years old, 6 feet tall with a medium build, and having blond hair and scruffy facial hair, Sohn said.

The FBI has released photos of the suspected robber and is asking anyone with information to call (415) 553-7400 or to go online to tips.fbi.gov.