Investigators Have Until the End of this Year to Catch the Wheat - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Investigators have until November or December of this year to find the so-called Wheaton bandit, a man who has held up at least 16 banks since 2002, most of them in Wheaton, walking away with more than 200 thousand dollars.

The bandit has not robbed a bank since 2006. However, there is increased pressure to find him now because the statute of limitations on bank robberies is 5 years old. Since his last crimes were in November and December of 2006, agents have until the end of this year to find and charge him or he walks away with everything he stole.

The best lead investigators have is one photo, snapped by a security camera at a bank in Glen Ellyn one week before the same bank was robbed by the Wheaton bandit. Investigators believe he may have been casing the bank as he conducted no business while inside.

Investigators also have a sketch of the bandit described by a witness who saw him without a mask outside a Winfield Bank right before it was robbed. He was wearing a green fleece sweatshirt with a unique logo on the back.

The bandit always wore gloves, leaving no fingerprints, and he always wore a mask or some sort of facial covering so witnesses never got a good look at his face.

Investigators are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

The bandit is described as a white male, around 30 years old and 6” tall with a thin to medium build. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees or has information on him should contact police.