FBI offering reward for ‘countdown bandit’

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man responsible for robbing seven banks in northern New Jersey on separate occasions since July.

In most of the robberies, the individual approached the teller, orally demanded money, counted down from 10 or 15 to one, and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to a press release from the FBI, which said that the subject in all of the robberies is described as a black or Hispanic male, 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall, in his mid-30s, and with an athletic build.

Almost all of the robberies happened around 10 a.m. The following is a listing of the robberies:

•On March 8 at 9:50 a.m., the M&T Bank located at 1620 Route 23 North in Wayne was robbed. The subject wore a white buttoned down shirt, a ¾-sleeved hunter green jacket, blue jeans, a dark-colored baseball cap, and solid white sneakers.

•On Dec. 29 at 10:10 a.m., the Hudson City Bank located at 249 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell was robbed. The subject wore a black knit hat, a zip-up gray and white sweater with a gold colored-scarf around his head, khaki pants, and white sneakers.

•On Dec. 3 at 10 a.m., the Hudson City Bank located at 435 Lewandowski St. in Lyndhurst was robbed. The subject wore a green Jets baseball cap, glasses, and a dark-colored sweatshirt.

•On Nov. 6, at 10:21 a.m., the Hudson City Bank located at 897 Prospect St. in Glen Rock was robbed. The subject wore a grey baseball cap, dark-colored jacket, and light-colored pants.

•On Oct. 23 at 9:40 a.m., the Hudson City Bank located at 715 River Road in New Milford was robbed. The subject wore glasses with a blue tint-on frame and clear lenses, pullover dark green sweater, and light-colored pants.

•On Aug. 12 at 10:09 a.m., the Hudson City Bank located at 1070 Main St. in River Edge was robbed. The subject wore an orange shirt and light colored pants.

•On July 1, at 12:31 p.m., the Community Bank of Bergen County located at 125 West Pleasant Ave. in Maywood was robbed. The subject wore grey sweatpants, a black hooded sweatshirt with a polo logo, black winter skull cap, and black shoes.

Anyone with information about these or any other bank robberies should contact the FBI at 973-792-3000. Additional information and photographs of these bank robberies can be found on Bandittrackernortheast.com.

Citizens are reminded they should never attempt to apprehend a fugitive on their own and should dial 911 in an emergency.