Michael S. Welch, Special Agent in Charge of the Indianapolis Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the individual depicted in the attached surveillance photographs, who is believed responsible for the robbery of the Citizens Financial Bank located at 2121 Columbus Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana.

On Thursday, August 7, 2008, at approximately 3:05 p.m., a lone black male entered the Citizens Financial Bank located at 2121 Columbus Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana, and presented the teller with a note demanding money. Subject indicated that he was wired with a device and was observed wearing an earpiece in his right ear that had a wire hanging from it. Subject was given an undisclosed amount of United States currency, which he placed in a small blue bag, and fled the bank.

The robber is described as a black/male, 35 – 40 years old, 5’7” tall, thin build, bald head, poor complexion, with tattoos on both sides of his neck (one side had 2 words and the other side had 2 lines of words). He was wearing gold rimmed eyeglasses and a shirt with black and white blocks or checkers.

Anyone recognizing this individual or having any information regarding the bank robbery is requested to contact the Merrillville FBI at (219) 769-3719 or the Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) Office at (219) 885-1055.

Contact: Special Agent Wendy A. Osborne, FBI Indianapolis, (317) 639-3301.