Gang of robbers could be behind string of robberies in OKC area

<br>EDMOND, Okla. (AP) _ A gang of bank robbers could be behind a string of Oklahoma City area robberies in the past 12 days, the FBI said. <br><br>Authorities are seeking at least three different men

Tuesday, April 9th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) _ A gang of bank robbers could be behind a string of Oklahoma City area robberies in the past 12 days, the FBI said.

Authorities are seeking at least three different men in connection with four robberies, including one about 3:15 p.m. Monday at an Edmond branch of Bank of Oklahoma inside an Albertson's grocery store, Special Agent Gary Johnson said.

``We do have a rash of them in the Oklahoma City area right now, no doubt,'' Johnson said.

Monday's robber walked up to the bank counter and asked, ``Are you a teller?'' The teller said yes and the man placed a Hobby Lobby bag on the counter and said, ``This is robbery _ I am not kidding. I mean it _ now.''

The man, who did not show a gun, got away with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was hurt, authorities said.

He was described as a white male, about 5-foot-10 and weighing about 200 pounds with brown hair and a thin mustache. He drove an early-1990s model teal blue or metallic blue Honda.

The robber wore circular sunglasses, a cream-colored Colorado Buffaloes ball cap, and a gray long-sleeve Abercrombie and Finch T-shirt.

The man does not match the description of two men who are being sought in three other recent bank robberies, Johnson said. Both of those robbers were black, he said.

The robberies began March 27 when a Bank of Oklahoma inside another Albertson's store was robbed. On March 30, someone robbed a north-side First Fidelity Bank and the City National Bank & Trust was robbed April 2.

Anyone with information about bank robberies may call the FBI at (405) 290-7770.

The Oklahoma Banker's Association offers up to $2,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and/or conviction of anyone robbing a member bank.