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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 14, 2006 Wells Fargo customers cross police tape while leaving the bank on McAndrews Road following a Friday afternoon robbery. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Police search for man in string of bank robberies Wells Fargo robbed Friday, officials think suspect is connected to U.S. bank robbery, Tigard bank robbery By anita burke Mail Tribune Police are looking for a man who walked into a Wells Fargo Bank on McAndrews Road in Medford Friday afternoon, showed a handgun and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police think the robber is the same man who robbed a Highway 62 Washington Mutual branch on Sept. 29 and a U.S. Bank branch on Central Avenue Sept. 21, as well as a Bank of America branch in Tigard Oct. 2, said Medford police Sgt. Phil Eastman. Investigators have identified the suspect as John Michael Gifford, 38, of Washington, based on evidence found at the Washington Mutual here and at the Tigard bank, Eastman said. "It was some fine investigative skills in the Portland area that ID-ed him in a photo lineup and with fingerprints obtained at the scene," Eastman said. A demand note left at the Washington Mutual here had the same fingerprints, he said. Advertisement Investigators suspect that Gifford is working up and down the Interstate 5 corridor, although they haven't found robberies reported in Northern California or elsewhere in Oregon to link him to. Medford police are working with the Medford office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Although he walked away from the three banks robbed in Medford, police have linked the suspect to a newer, dark Nissan Maxima, Eastman said. The robber entered the busy Wells Fargo branch while it was "packed with customers and employees," Eastman said. The robbery was reported at 2:38 p.m. The robber presented a note demanding money and showed a silver handgun, then walked out the front door with cash, police said. He is described as clean-shaven, with short, dark hair and a dimple on his chin. He stands about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. Witnesses described him as "muscular" and "in good shape." He was wearing a tight-fitting, white, ribbed T-shirt, dark blue jeans, tennis shoes and Oakley brand sunglasses with one-piece silver lenses. Police used a dog to search the area for the robber while investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses inside the bank. The branch was closed, much to the dismay of many customers surprised by the yellow police tape and locked doors. The bank branch last was robbed on Dec. 5, 2005. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Related Stories (Bank Robberies): 04-21-2006 - Robbery suspect escapes 05-23-2006 - Man gets eight years for robbing bank 07-08-2006 - Warrant issued in bank robbery case 08-02-2006 - Medford bank job suspect in custody 09-21-2006 - Mail Tribune - Robber gets away after U.S. Bank heist Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com