Man With Unfashionable Hat Robs Banks

By Margaret Lyons in News on Jan 3, 2008 10:02PM

Think reaaaaal carefully about what fashion mistakes you're going to make on bank-robbing day. Because those choices? Well, those choices become who we are. Take the case of the "Kangol Bandit."

Chicago's branch of the FBI is asking for all our help IDding the gentleman pictured above, who they say is responsible for at least four bank robberies in Chicagoland since November. He's at least guilty of one crime of fashion. That hat is fugs. He's around 40 years old and is 5'6".

Authorities say the Kangol Bandit is responsible for the November 16 robbery at the LaSalle Bank branch in the 7100 block of South Stony Island Avenue, the December 3 robbery of a Charter One branch on the 10200 block of South Ewing Avenue, the December 6 robbery at the TCF Bank on the 5600 block of North Kimball Avenue, and the December 11 robbery of a Chase bank in Calumet City. He goes up to a teller, and either says or passes them a note saying he has a weapon; in two of the incidents, he brandished a handgun. Maybe he's using the money to buy new hats, or at least a better strategy because seriously, if you were going to rob a bunch of banks without a mask, wouldn't you, oh, alter your appearance in between crimes?

Have you seen the Kangol Bandit? If you have, call the FBI at (312) 421-6700 to collect a $1,000 reward. [Trib, NBC 5]