‘Play-Along Bandit’ arrested after 10th bank robbery attempt in Wisconsin

(MONONA, Wis.) The “Play-Along Bandit,” who is suspected in nine Chicago-area bank robberies since last October, was arrested last month after he attempted to strike again in Monona, Wisconsin.

Corey O. Collier, 30, of Chicago, has been arrested and is suspected of being the “Play-Along Bandit,” according to police and the FBI,

About 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20, officers responded to a robbery at Anchor Bank, 6501 Monona Dr., according to a statement from the Monona Police Department.

No one was injured in the robbery and a gun was implied, but not shown, police said.

Police said the suspect, later identified as Collier, was spotted in a marshy area south of a nearby highway. Authorities assisted by the Dane County K9 Unit took him into custody without injury.

Dubbed the “Play-Along Bandit” because of the way he tries to blend in and act like a regular bank customer as he enters and exits the banks, the suspected serial robber has even greeted security guards as he walked past them, according to the FBI. In several of the robberies, the bandit has brandished a handgun or implied he had one.

He is suspected in at least nine other robberies since last October, including:

—BMO Harris, 901 E. 47th St. on Jan. 14;

—MB Financial Bank, 1542 W. 47th St. on Jan. 9;

—ABC Bank, 5645 W. Corcoran Pl. on Dec. 20;

—Harris Bank, 1620 W. 95th St. on Dec. 6;

—First Merit Bank, 1715 W. 47th, on Nov. 25;

—Citi Bank, 2000 W. 79th, on Nov. 14;

—Fifth Third Bank, 8140 S. Ashland, on Oct. 28; and

—ABC Bank, 9443 S. Ashland, on Oct. 18.

Collier was charged with robbery of a financial institution while armed in connection with the Monona robbery and has been ordered held at the Dane County Jail, police said.