REWARD OFFERED FOR BANK ROBBER.

Byline: - Orith Goldberg

Bank of America is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a serial robber believed to have robbed 23 banks in the San Fernando Valley area, officials said Thursday.

The man, dubbed by the FBI as the ``Tennis Elbow Bandit'' because of a bandage he wore on his right arm in early robberies to apparently cover a tattoo, is believed involved in a series of stick-ups, primarily in Burbank and Glendale, officials said.

The bandit walks up to the bank, hands a teller a note that begins, ``I have a gun,'' and includes a demand for an exact amount of cash in specific denominations, FBI Special Agent Patrick Conley said.

Although no one has seen a weapon, authorities consider the robber to be armed and dangerous, Conley said.

Conley cautioned members of the public who come in contact with the man to pass the information on to the FBI rather than approaching him themselves.

The bandit is described as a white man, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 8 inches, 180 pounds, with a large tattoo on his right forearm. During many of his robberies, the bandit has worn casual clothing and sunglasses above his forehead or over the brim of a baseball cap.

The Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles police departments are working with the FBI on the case.

Anyone with information about the robber is asked to contact his or her local police department or the FBI at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

SUSPECT