Number of bank robberies jumps in December

Bank robberies in Minnesota are up this month, compared to a year ago.

Minnesota in December 2010 had five bank robberies. This December, the state has seen 13 bank robberies. So far this year, there have been 67 bank robberies in Minnesota, up from 54 in 2010.

"We are seeing an increase in year-end bank robberies," said Gregory Boosalis, spokesman for the FBI in Minneapolis. "Why that's occurring, we're not quite sure. But this year we are seeing an increase."

The FBI says at least four or five individuals carried out the robberies. Some of the robbers used weapons. Others did not.

Late Thursday afternoon, the Glenwood State Bank in Alexandria, Minn., was robbed. The robber was a white male about six-feet tall, and carried a small handgun. He wore a green, waist length jacket and a multi-colored stocking hat over a dark-colored ski mask. He also wore blue jeans, and dark-colored gloves. Anyone with knowledge of the robbery is asked to contact the FBI or the Alexandria Police Department.