FBI: Robbery suspect may have hit 21 banks

CHICAGO, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. investigators said a suspect in the "Second Hand Bandit" investigation may be one of the most prolific bank robbers in the history of Chicago.

Joseph "Jose" Banks, who was arrested after an alleged botched holdup Aug. 26, has been accused by the FBI of robbing as many as 21 Chicago banks while sporting a false Jamaican accent and disguises that included what appeared to be used suits and coats, earning him the nickname of "Second Hand Bandit," the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

His arrest followed an alleged robbery attempt that involved wallpaper installer Jennifer Worobey shouting for someone to call 911 before the bandit could demand any money, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Bank employees picked Banks out of a police lineup.

The FBI said told the Tribune that from two holdups, Banks allegedly made off with $589,000.

Investigators said they found the suspect, who U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole ordered to be held until a hearing next week, was an aspiring designer who was creating his own line of clothing.