Saturday, July 17, 1999
FBI stalks 'Average Joe'
Tristate robber may be a neighbor
BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Robbery suspect
|
CRESTVIEW HILLS — The search for a Tristate bank robber known by authorities as “Average Joe” is about to go national.
Pictures of the dark-haired man in a ballcap and nerdy glasses will show up soon on the FBI's Web site of most wanted unknown suspects. The 10 area bank robberies blamed on him since a Crestview Hills job 16 months ago are exceeded by those of only one other man sought on the FBI site.
“We really need a lead here,” said FBI Agent Doug Warner. “We don't think he's going to stop.”
Robberies by Average Joe — they call him that because he looks like just that — have escalated in recent months. He was sporadic in 1998, sometimes going several months between hits. But he has been on a roll since spring, with robberies in April in Lexington, May in Huber Heights and last month again in Lexington.
FBI Agent Doug Warner says he isn't sure what to conclude about the robber. Maybe an addiction drives him, he said, though Average Joe never asks for much money. He sometimes asks specifically for $3,000. Some of the robberies have taken place on Saturdays, and all of the banks are along Interstate 75.
He always slides a note, printed on a word processor, to the teller. He gestures that he has a gun, but doesn't show it.
Investigators thought they might be getting close a couple of times — when a red dye pack exploded on him last September, and again in February, when a witness got a good look at the getaway vehicle. That time, it was a GMC Suburban in pewter, a color made only since 1998. But when agents began checking with area dealers, they found a lot of pewter Suburbans had been sold.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 341-3901.
“Somebody knows this guy,” Agent Warner said. “I mean, look at him — he's probably somebody's neighbor.”
Young people need to show a little respect
Armstrong hopes man will return to moon
Astronauts bask in glories past
FBI stalks 'Average Joe'
Mason growth shows no sign of slowing
Zoo gorilla expecting
Former reporter given probation
Former Russian general has new mission
Hospitals, surgeon offer to help boy
State tax cuts will be less for '99
Racist tag rejected in Anderson
Restrictions target illegal bingo
Balloonist shares his perspective at 300 feet
Drought keeps sprinklers in demand
Ex-officer's appeal says sentence racist
Fire kills disabled woman
Futuristic Sky Loop transit would complement light rail
Report: Ky. access to Internet among lowest
Residents aid river testing
GET TO IT
Pops concert unmasks 2 musical 'Phantoms'
Bids for new courthouse steps too high
Bush gains in Ohio GOP delegation
Child pornographer, 79, receives 10-year sentence
Court may pay for study of sewage plant
Edgewood clock could hail 2000
Gateways get spiffy thanks to $200 gifts
Glendale called to aid family
Grants make transportation easier
Man's death linked to cocaine abuse
More pools to be open in next heat emergency
Retirement center looking certain
School plan redone, awaits board's OK
TRISTATE DIGEST
Zoning goes to Supreme Court
