Federal authorities believe man suspected of robbing credit union in Iowa is

The nickname refers to the type of assault rifle the man has brandished while targeting banks in five states.

Based on witness descriptions, surveillance photos and other indicators investigators in multiple jurisdictions “believe the Mason City suspect is the same individual linked to the violent series of bank robberies attributed to the ‘AK-47 Bandit, ‘ which brings the total number of linked robberies to seven”, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

The Mason City Police Department is holding a press conference Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.to discuss Tuesday’s armed robbery. The bandit robbed the credit union on the 1600 block of S. Monroe Avenue and left behind an improvised explosive device at the scene.

At first, police released information that he was driving a black Dodge Charger, but later said the information they were given on the vehicle was incorrect. No one was hurt.

He’s also suspected in an attempted robbery at a bank in Sacramento in 2012.

The spree of bank heists began on February 29, 2012, when the bandit robbed the California Bank and Trust, 5455 Riverside Drive in Chino, and shot a Chino police officer while making his getaway. “We’re very fearful if he’s not caught that another officer that stumbles upon him may not be as fortunate”. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and left in a 2007-2009 model black or dark-colored Toyota Camry LE. The license plate was obscured.

FBI Special Agent Kevin Boles, who is working the case out of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office says the suspect should be considered armed and extremely risky.