Police seek man who robbed Mag Mile business while dressed as a cop — and some people think he looks familiar

Police released these images of a man who is suspected of robbing a currency exchange on the Magnificent Mile. | CPD

Investigators released images of a man they believe robbed a Magnificent Mile currency exchange while wearing Chicago police uniform parts. And some CWBChicago readers think the man resembles a bank robber who struck in Lakeview last week.

Police said the man seen above donned police uniform gear and a green surgical mask in the heist that targeted Currency Exchange International in the Shops at North Bridge around 7:40 p.m. on Monday. 

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The man implied he had a weapon during the robbery, and a 22-year-old employee handed over a bag containing about $2,700 worth of euros and British pounds, according to initial reports from the scene.

Anyone with information about the case can call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 regarding case JC532293.

Minutes after CWBChicago shared the images on Twitter last night, two readers reached out to suggest that the suspect bears a resemblance to a man who the FBI says robbed the Chase bank at 3032 North Clark on Nov. 26. So far, police have not publicly linked the two cases.

Bank surveillance images of the robbery suspect. | FBI

According to police, the bank robber passed a note to a teller that stated, “This is an attempted robbery. Give me all the cash you have.”

Bank employees told investigators that the man ran out of the branch’s Clark Street entrance and headed north after he received the cash.

An FBI bulletin released this week describes the robber as a black man who stands about 5’8” tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He wore a black Nike hat, a black coat, dark pants, and brown shoes, the agency said.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads them to the offender. Anyone with tips can call the bureau’s Chicago field office at 312-421-6700.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com