BLOOMINGTON - A Freestar Bank branch was robbed Tuesday, becoming the third bank to be robbed this month in the Twin Cities.

Police said a man robbed the Freestar branch, 1218 Towanda Ave., with a handgun about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. He fled west on foot with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

The robber was described as a white man in his 40s wearing a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and boots.

No one was injured.

Police were investigating whether Thursday's heist was connected with two other Twin Cites robberies this month.

The suspect descriptions in each case bear some similarities, and all three robberies took place within about half an hour of each branch's lobby closing time. | Raw Video: U.S. Bank robbery

"Based on the description, it's not too far-fetched to think it's the same guy," said Bloomington police spokesman Duane Moss.

Police have said they believe the same man robbed both U.S. Bank, 1401 S. Main St., Normal, on Dec. 9 and National City Bank, 1332 E. Empire St., Bloomington, on Dec. 3.

No arrests have been made in any of the robberies.

There have been four bank robberies in Bloomington in 2008, up from three in 2007 and three in 2006. In Normal, there was one in 2006 and three in 2007, with two so far in 2008.