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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Early harvest means shortage of workers ... New book chronicles Highway 99's history and stories that popped up along the way ... Shakespeare and Britt combine to make classic cabaret ... Early harvest means shortage of workers ... New book chronicles Highway 99's history and stories that popped up along the way ... Shakespeare and Britt combine to make classic cabaret ... Police search for man in string of bank robberies By anita burke,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By anita burke,Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 14, 2006 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM By anita burke,Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 14, 2006 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM » Social News Wells Fargo robbed Friday, officials think suspect is connected to U.S. bank robbery, Tigard bank robbery — 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. 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 . — Related Stories (Bank Robberies): By anita burke,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By anita burke,Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 14, 2006 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501