Same Guy? Police Say Bank Robber Wore Suit, Cap, Maybe Makeup

Two bank robberies at two grocery stores, two weeks apart—almost to the hour.

The police departments in Minneapolis and Fridley have both asked for the public's help in finding a suspect who wore a cap and a dark suit with the cuffs of a white collared shirt sticking out the arms of the suit.

Here are the basic details, according to police:

• On Friday, Aug. 3, just after noon, a man robbed the Guaranty Bank inside Rainbow Foods, 1540 New Brighton Blvd., Minneapolis.

• On Friday, July 20, at 11:45 a.m. a , 256 57th Ave. NE, Fridley.

Both robberies occurred on a Friday, police say, just before or after noon, and at banks inside grocery stores that are about six miles apart.

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See the surveillance photos from each incident that show similarly dressed suspects reaching into their suit coats and brandishing handguns.

The Minneapolis suspect, police said, may have been wearing makeup. The official description of the Fridley suspect doesn't include that detail, but an earlier description over police radio did: "Has goatee that is greying and noticeable face makeup, so may not be real goatee." (Neither official description mentions what looks like a goatee beard in the surveillance photos from both banks.)

Here are the statements, including suspect descriptions, that authorities released in each case:

JULY 20, 2012, TCF BANK AT CUB FOODS, FRIDLEY

On July 20, 2012, at approximately 11:45 am, a lone, black male entered a TCF Bank located inside the Cub Foods Store at 256 57th Avenue NE, Fridley, Minnesota.  The robber approached the teller counter, gave the victim teller a bag, and brandished a handgun. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, the robber fled from the bank on foot.

The robber was described as a black male with a light complexion, who was approximately 6’ to 6’1” in height and weighing approximately 200 to 215 lbs. The robber was also described as wearing a dark business suit, a white shirt, and a tan “driving cap.”

Anyone with any information regarding this robbery should contact the FBI at (701) 852-5071 or the Fridley Police Department (763) 572-3629.

AUG. 3, 2012, GUARANTY BANK AT RAINBOW FOODS, MINNEAPOLIS

August 3, 2012 (MINNEAPOLIS) Today just after 12:00 p.m., Second Precinct patrol officers responded to the Guaranty Bank at 1540 New Brighton Boulevard inside the Rainbow Foods on a bank robbery. 

When officers arrived they learned that the bank had just been robbed at gun point by a lone male.  The suspect, pictured below, was described as 45 to 55 year old black male with a light complexion. He was approximately 6 feet, weighing 200 pounds. He was wearing a gray hat and a dark blue suit with a white open collar shirt. His shirts sleeves, with cuff links, extended beyond the jacket sleeves.  The suspect was possibly wearing make-up. He was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun.

The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.  A similar suspect has been described in other metro area bank robberies.

Lieutenant Michael Fossum of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Robbery Unit is investigating this case.  He is asking that anybody who can identify the suspect or who has additional information to call him at 612-673-3645. The case number for this incident is 12-242057

Minneapolis police did not immediately return messages Sunday morning. The FBI and Fridley police said they might have a comment on Monday.

More (robber who hit the same Fridley bank last year had poor grammar and a worse getaway plan):