Police search for bank robber wanted in 16 heists

         Charlene Close and 680News staff

 

A security image of a man wanted in 16 bank robberies. TORONTO POLICE.

The Canadian Bankers Association has offered a $10,000 reward in an effort to catch a serial bank robber.

Toronto police said the man has allegedly robbed 16 banks in the city since 2009 -- the most recent one taking place in August 2011.

Investigators are hoping security camera images will lead them to the suspect.

Police have called him the "Ray-Ban bandit" because he usually shows up wearing sunglasses.

In each one, the suspect approached a teller, said he was armed with a handgun and demanded cash.

"This is very much a personal crime -- and what's often overlooked is that, and what's important to us, is that there's innocent people involved whenever there is a robbery, and that is our customers and employees," Bill Crate, director of security at the Canadian Bankers Association, said.

The suspect is described as:

• white
• between 23 and 33 years old
• 5'6" to 5'9"
• medium build

Toronto police and the Canadian Bankers Association won't reveal how much money was stolen.