Authorities target 'U30 bandit' who hit 7 banks, quickly

The FBI, which is working with the State Police and local police departments on the case, has issued a wanted poster of the robber featuring seven photographs taken by bank surveillance cameras. The bureau has also posted a $37,500 reward.

Wellesley Deputy Police Chief Bill Brooks, whose town was the location of two of the robberies, said authorities are particularly worried because in recent holdups, the culprit has leaned over the counter and pointed the gun in the faces of tellers with his finger on the trigger.

``That's a bad combination, because it's only a matter of time before the weapon discharges,'' Brooks said.

Mike McNamara, a spokesman for the FBI's Boston office, added, ``He's obviously becoming more aggressive, and that concerns us.''

The suspect has covered his face in each robbery with a hood, baseball cap, or ski mask and sometimes a combination of those articles. In a couple of instances, Brooks said, he wore a Halloween skull mask and a wig with dreadlocks.

The robber apparently flees the scene in a car driven by an accomplice. Authorities had no description of the car or accomplice. Brooks said the robber appears to be white and stands about 5 feet 10 inches, but he had no other details.

In addition to Wellesley, the robberies have occurred in Needham, Newton, Dedham (twice), and Walpole.

Anyone with information about the robbery is encouraged to call the FBI at 617-742-5533.