AK-47 Bandit Strikes Again, Robs Credit Union in Iowa

In Mason City, a man wearing a black ski mask, gloves and armed with an AK-47 robbed Iowa Heartland Credit Union about 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Information about the Mason City robbery was relayed to the intelligence division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and later received by the Chino Police Department.

“This suspect shot and wounded a Chino, California, police officer after robbing a bank in 2012 and has since been linked to four bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery in multiple states, using the same rifle”, Jensen says.

The Bandit continued his spree robbing or attempting to rob at least four more banks in 2012 in California, Washington and Idaho.

The suspect carried with him his signature AK-47, an assault rifle with a drum magazine similar to the weapon seen in his previous robberies, and a duffel bag, KVNU reported.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents also suspect the robbery may target banks in smaller communities near state borders, like he did in Nebraska City last August.

After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the FBI says the man left in a 2007-2009 model black or dark-colored Toyota Camry LE.

Authorities say the suspect is armed and risky and should not be approached.

“The bandit is described as a white male with blue eyes in his 20s to 40s, 5’9″ to 6’0” tall. Reporter: In an effort to stop him before he strikes again, authorities are offering a $100,000 reward.

The community is asked to contact law enforcement with any information regarding this incident.