Investigators are offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of an eyepatch-wearing bandit who attempted to rob a bank in southeast Columbus and successfully robbed another one on the far east side just days later.

On Dec. 21, 2017, the unknown man entered the Chase Bank on the 1600 block of Lockbourne Road around 1:13pm. The man handed a note demanding cash to the teller, but before the teller complied, the man grabbed the note and fled the bank on foot. Witnesses described the suspect as a white man in his late 20s, standing between 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 5-feet, 10-inches tall, and weighing approximately 130 to 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie with white writing and gray sweatpants.

Just two days later, police believe the same man entered the Chase Bank on the 2000 block of Brice Road. Again, he approached the teller and presented a note demanding money. After the teller handed over the cash, the man fled in an unknown direction. This time, witnesses described the suspect as a white man, approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighing between 170 to 200 pounds. He was unshaven, wearing a light brown jacket, a dark blue winter hat, dark overalls and a medical eyepatch over his left eye.

Despite the slight discrepancies in the suspect’s description, investigators are convinced it was the same man.

“So I think because of the method of getting the money was the same and the description is sort of similar [and] because he’s wearing overalls and things like that, he did look a little heavier in the second set of photographs,” Central Ohio Crime Stoppers president Kristen McKinley said.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest or indictment of the man responsible for these crimes. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the crimes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS(8477). You can also submit a tip online at www.stopcrime.org or through the free P3 Tips mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices. All tips are anonymous and calls are never recorded.