Play-Along Bandit

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‘Play-Along Bandit’ arrested after 10th bank robbery attempt in Wisconsin

Feb 14, 2015 |

photo credit: FBI

(MONONA, Wisc.) The “Play-Along Bandit,” who is suspected in nine Chicago-area bank robberies since last October, was arrested last month after he attempted to strike again in Monona, Wisconsin.

Corey O. Collier, 30, of Chicago, has been arrested and is suspected of being the “Play-Along Bandit,” according to police and the FBI,

About 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20, officers responded to a robbery at Anchor Bank, 6501 Monona Dr., according to a statement from the Monona Police Department.

No one was injured in the robbery and a gun was implied, but not shown, police said.

Police said the suspect, later identified as Collier, was spotted in a marshy area south of a nearby highway. Authorities assisted by the Dane County K9 Unit took him into custody without injury.

Dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit” because of the way he tries to blend in and act like a regular bank customer as he enters and exits the banks, the suspected serial robber has even greeted security guards as he walked past them, according to the FBI. In several of the robberies, the bandit has brandished a handgun or implied he had one.

He is suspected in at least nine other robberies since last October, including:

—BMO Harris, 901 E. 47th St. on Jan. 14;

—MB Financial Bank, 1542 W. 47th St. on Jan. 9;

—ABC Bank, 5645 W. Corcoran Pl. on Dec. 20;

—Harris Bank, 1620 W. 95th St. on Dec. 6;

—First Merit Bank, 1715 W. 47th, on Nov. 25;

—Citi Bank, 2000 W. 79th, on Nov. 14;

—Fifth Third Bank, 8140 S. Ashland, on Oct. 28; and

—ABC Bank, 9443 S. Ashland, on Oct. 18.

Collier was charged with robbery of a financial institution while armed in connection with the Monona robbery and has been ordered held at the Dane County Jail, police said.

FBI offers reward for information about ‘Play-Along Bandit’

Dec 12, 2014 |

photo credit: FBI

(Chicago) Federal authorities are seeking information about a man they have dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit,” suspected of robbing five banks across the city since October.

The bandit most recently robbed a Harris Bank branch at 1620 W. 95th St. on Dec. 6, according to a statement from the FBI. He approached the teller, made a threatening demand for money and implied he was armed, although he did not display a weapon.

He has been dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit” because of the way he tries to blend in and act like a regular bank customer as he enters and exits the banks, the FBI said. He has even greeted security guards as he walked past them.

He is also suspected of robbing:

—First Merit Bank, 1715 W. 47th, on Nov. 25;

—Citi Bank, 2000 W. 79th, on Nov. 14;

—Fifth Third Bank, 8140 S. Ashland, on Oct. 28; and

—ABC Bank, 9443 S. Ashland, on Oct. 18.

The bandit is described as a black man between 25 and 30 who is about 5-foot-8, the FBI said.

He has worn a variety of jackets during the robberies, one of which had a “distinct pattern” across the chest, according to the FBI. He has also consistently worn what appears to be the same black knit skullcap with a small brim in front.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his identification and arrest. Anyone with information should call the FBI at (312) 421-6700.