Possible connection in Burbank bank robberies

A middle-aged black man who robbed a Burbank Citibank Saturday appears to match the description of a suspect wanted in connection with a nearby bank robbery this summer, authorities said.

The suspect, who witnesses described as being between 45 and 50 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 pounds, walked into the Citibank at 360 E. Magnolia Blvd., handed the teller a note demanding cash and said he had a gun, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said. The suspect then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The incident closely mirrored the robbery of a downtown Chase Bank Aug. 20 in which the suspect handed over a similar note before being chased across the street by bank security into the Islands Restaurant parking lot at 101 E. Orange Grove Ave., where he was last seen.

Officers in both cases arrived within a couple minutes of the robbery and combed the area.

In the first robbery the suspect wore a black baseball cap, light blue T-shirt and dark slacks. He had a salt and pepper beard and was carrying a black briefcase, Quesada said.

The suspect in the second robbery had a beard, thin build and was wearing a dark blue baseball cap, dark-colored shirt and tight-fitting jeans.