Meet the Gas-Can Bandit and 4 More Weird November Bank Robbers

No bank robbery would be complete without a proper disguise to throw authorities off the trail, but some criminals go the extra mile when it comes to concealing their identities.

From fake facial hair to distracting props, November was a solid month for weird bandits in the Chicago area. Please enjoy this cross-section of criminal creativity.

1. FAKE BEARD-AND-BEANIE BANDIT

The man boldly sporting this fake beard robbed a US Bank at 6020 W. Roosevelt Road in Oak Park at 12:42 p.m. Nov. 2. Under all that synthetic hair, he’s described as 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall with a medium build and brown eyes. He didn’t show a weapon during the robbery.

2. GAS-CAN BANDIT

While not exactly part of her disguise, it’s hard not to be distracted by the presence of this gas can. The FBI hasn’t given any explanation for why she held it during the bank robbery, leaving it to our imagination. Was it part of a threat? Did she plan to shove the stolen money into the can? Was she on her way to the pump when greed and the temptation to scream at a bank teller became more than she could bear? What we do know: she is a slender, older woman who robbed the U.S. Bank at 2854 W. Cermak in Chicago around 2:34 p.m. Nov. 19, the FBI said. Police said she implied she a gun, but she didn’t show one.

3. SLEEP-APNEA BANDIT

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This guy wore dark clothing and a breathing mask attached to a long tube Nov. 12 when he robbed a TCF Bank at 922 Green Bay Road in Waukegan. The FBI says he is 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall. He implied he had a gun, but he didn’t show one.

4. JAMAICA-MAN BANDIT

Here’s another winner in the fake hair category. A man wearing a hat and fake dreadlocks robbed a Horizon Bank at 2650 Willowcreek Road in Portage, Indiana, on Nov. 2. The FBI believes he is 30 to 35 years old, with an average build, wearing a black hooded jacket, light blue jeans, tan work boots and a “Jamaican style hat with fake dreads.” He showed a handgun during the robbery.

5. FUN HATS-AND-HIPSTER GOGGLES BANDIT

Sometimes it takes just the right occasion or a little encouragement to spice up an outfit with bold accessories. But if we’ve learned one thing from scoping out these criminals, it’s that no bank robbery is complete without a hat. This woman first donned a red knit beanie and thick-rimmed glasses Oct. 29 to rob a Bank of America, 205 North Addison St. in Elmhurst. She pushed her wardrobe a bit further with a wide-brimmed number Nov. 6 to knock off a Chase Bank at 791 Elm Street in Winnetka. The FBI says she’s 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall with a thin to medium build, and she didn’t show a weapon.

Photos and info via the FBI.