Police need help identifying violent bank robber

NEWCASTLE -- Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man suspected of committing a series of violent "take-over" bank robberies.

The suspect robbed the Key Bank in Newcastle on Jan. 16 and he's wanted for robbing the Sterling Savings Bank in Burien on June 8, the King County Sheriff's office said.

In each of the robberies, the suspect confronted customers and bank employees and became violent. Police said he fired a gun in one of the robberies and struck a bank teller with his fist in another robbery.

Police said that the suspect is considered armed and dangerous and anyone with information is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office, Seattle police or the FBI.  Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5-feet, 7-inches tall with a medium build. He often wears a mask, but sometimes forgets to pull it over his face, police said.