NATION

FBI asks for public's help in finding 'AK-47 bandit'

Katie Bieri
The Republic | azcentral.com
The FBI is offering up to a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man tied to bank robberies across four states and the attempted murder of a police officer. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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he FBI is offering up to a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man tied to bank robberies across four states and the attempted murder of a police officer, according to an FBI statement.

The "AK-47 bandit" has robbed several banks in California, Washington, Idaho and Nebraska since 2012, according to the statement, including a robbery in Nebraska City, Neb., in August.

In a 2012 Chino, Calif., robbery, the man did not hesitate to fire at a police officer, who was seriously wounded, according to federal agents.

The other robberies linked to the AK-47 bandit occurred in Chino and Vacaville, Calif.; North Bend, Wash; Rexburg, Idaho and Nebraska City. The man is also linked to an attempted robbery in Sacramento.

The robber frequently wore a black ski mask, black gloves, navy blue body armor and a green vest with the word "sheriff" on the back, the release said. He was also seen wearing a fake sheriff's badge on his clothing and a black coat with a hood, according to federal agents.

The robber has been spotted before in both a dark gray, four-door Nissan Altima with dark-tinted windows from the late 2000s and in a reddish-orange Jeep Liberty or Jeep Patriot SUV.

Law enforcement considers him to be armed and dangerous. The man has shown willingness to travel interstate to rob banks and might do it again, according to federal investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.