FBI agents are assisting Honolulu police in their pursuit of a man who dons disguises and is wanted in connection with 14 O'ahu bank robberies in the past 11 months.

Photographs of the man and descriptions of his tactics have been sent to FBI field offices on the Mainland to see if they match the patterns of serial bank robbers wanted in other jurisdictions.

"We're assisting them but Honolulu police are really running the show," said FBI Special Agent Tony Lang.

The serial robber is contributing to a rash of bank robberies this year.

As of May 1, 23 banks on O'ahu had been robbed, compared with 23 in all of 2005. Part of what is fueling the spike is inconsistent security practices on the part of local banks, police said. Some banks require customers to remove hats, sunglasses and other attire that disguise appearances, while others do not.

The man wanted by local law enforcement has been robbing O'ahu banks since last September and is known for wearing elaborate disguises.

He has dressed up like a nurse in hospital scrubs, a construction worker, a security guard and a blond woman.

Most recently the man fashioned himself as an injured soldier Friday evening when he allegedly robbed the Pearlridge branch of the Hickam Federal Credit Union, police said.

At 5:30 p.m. the robber entered the bank at 98-1005 Moanalua Road and demanded money from the teller.

He is described as being in his 40s, 5 feet 8 and weighing 180 pounds with a fair complexion and a dark mustache. He had a white bandage on his left temple and fled through a service entrance, leaving his camouflage jacket at the scene.

Police say he may have a red rash on his face. In a few but not all of the robberies, the man tore off part of his disguise as he fled, police said, adding that he has used a gun, a pocket knife and a stun gun.

"He's never escalated to violence," said HPD Sgt. Kim Capllonch. "But he is armed."

Most bank robbers in Hawai'i make off with $500 to $1,000, police said. First-time bank robbers face up to 18 months in federal prison if no weapon was used, and up to seven years if a gun is pulled.

In general, Honolulu police say, more than 95 percent of all bank robberies on O'ahu are solved through CrimeStoppers tips. However, the number of arrests last year was not immediately available yesterday, police said.

Anyone with information on the suspect or the robberies is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.