Serial bank robber suspected of heist in Oxford

The First Trust & Savings Bank in Oxford was robbed at gunpoint at Wednesday morning.

Authorities say the man fired a shot while committing the robbery. No one was injured.

The suspect is described as a white male, 6'2 and has a thin build and dark hair.  He was wearing a handkerchief over his face. He wore a dark colored sweatshirt and dark khaki pants with side pockets.

According to Oxford police, the man took the keys of someone in the bank and fled in the person's car. The vehicle is a gray 2004 Mazda MZ6 with Iowa Hawkeye personalized plates “HILSTOY”.

Story County authorities say the robber, who is suspected in a similar heist in Slater, is known to ditch the stolen vehicle about two miles from the robbery. He then is picked up by another car driven by an accomplice.

Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said his department was aware of the similarities between the sting of recent robberies, but said he cannot release if there is a direct connection.

The investigation is ongoing and the Johnson County Sheriff's is being assisted by the FBI, and State of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Pulkrabek said under the circumstances of the robbery, he considers the suspect to be dangerous for what he called an “act of desperation.”

Assistance at the time of the robbery was also given by the Iowa State Patrol, North Liberty Police Department, Coralville Police Department, the Iowa County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Natural Resources.

Anyone with information on the robbery or locates the vehicle is asked to call the Johnson County Sheriff's Office at 319-356-6020 or the Johnson County Tip Line at 319-354-3729.

- A similar bank robbery was reported in St. Charles last week.

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