Two Salem banks robbed back-to-back, authorities investigating

Authorities are investigating robberies at two Salem banks that happened this week on separate sides of the city, asking anyone with information about the crimes to come forward.

At this time, investigators don’t suspect the two were carried out by the same men, said Beth Anne Steele, a Federal Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman. Officials with the FBI and Salem Police Department are both working on the cases.

The first robbery happened Thursday at about 4 p.m. at the Wells Fargo at 3245 Market Street NE, Steele said. A male suspect entered the bank, demanded money, got the cash and left.

He was described as a 5-foot, 6-inch white or Hispanic male weighing 150 pounds and wearing a blue LA Dodgers baseball cap, black pants, black shirt and a blue backpack, she said.

Crime:Crime statistics: Rape and sexual assault in Oregon

More:Food carts vandalized at The Yard Food Park, Salem's newest food cart destination

More:Salem-Keizer schools prepare for winter travel over the Santiam Pass for games in Bend

The second robbery happened Friday at about 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Bank at 5660 Commercial Street SE. A man walked around the Safeway for a while, then walked into the bank branch inside the store.

The suspect demanded money, threatening that he had a weapon, although no weapon was seen, Steele said. He took the cash and left.

A preliminary description of the man indicates he was a white male with long, dark hair, a dark-colored jacket, a black beanie and dark glasses, Steele said.

“While investigators will obviously look for any potential connections between the robberies, at this time – based on the descriptions – it does appear as though they are two different men,” Steele said.

Members of the public with information are asked to call the FBI at 503-224-4181 or the Salem police at 503-588-8477. Tips are also accepted at tips.fbi.gov.