Gang Stages Sixth Bank Holdup

He hid behind a car just across the street from the bank, he said, and began filming. He zoomed in on the van as the gunmen drove off. "Maybe some of the tape can help catch the guys," he said.

In the Chevy Chase neighborhood where the minivan was set ablaze, residents also were taken aback by the drama.

Anna DeFina, a Georgetown University professor, was at her computer when she heard a loud explosion. "I saw flames coming up. It was furious," she said.

David Keil, who has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years, said he and his wife thought they were hearing firecrackers. Keil said he first saw flames coming from the passenger side of the vehicle, which quickly became engulfed in flames.

The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that helps lead to the assailants. People with information are asked to call the FBI at 202-278-2000 or D.C. police at 202-727-9099. Prince George's County police also are investigating.

The first robbery occurred Jan. 22, when five masked and armed men stormed into a Bank of America branch at 5911 Blair Rd. NW, taking $140,000. The robbers' take in the other robberies has diminished considerably. Yesterday's haul could present problems: Authorities said it was rigged with a red dye meant to permanently stain it.

Three robberies have been in Northwest Washington. The others took place in Northeast Washington, Temple Hills and Hyattsville. Shots were fired in a robbery June 12 at a Northeast Washington bank and in a May 10 robbery in Temple Hills. In the latter case, authorities said, two gunshots hit a Prince George's police car.

Staff writers Nicole Fuller and Allan Lengel contributed to this report.