SAN DIEGO, California (AP) – FBI officials have tagged an elderly, thin, gray-haired man nicknamed the “Geezer Bandit” as the prime suspect in holding up five San Diego-area banks since summer.

Investigators said that based on the surveillance videos, the man is roughly in his 70s. Officials added that in the most recent robbery early this week, he approached a Bank of America teller in La Jolla, pulled out a handgun and asked for cash. He fled on foot.

FBI spokesman Darrell Foxworth expressed belief that the man was also responsible for robbing four other San Diego County banks since August 28.

Law enforcement officials are now offering $16,000 in rewards for information that would lead to his arrest and conviction.

‘Ninja’ injured on fence

SEATTLE (AP) – A drunken man who claimed he was a ninja was impaled on a metal fence when he tried to jump over it.

Based on reports from the Seattle Police, it was an officer who was looking for an assault victim nearby who heard the man’s screams for help. The policeman supported him to prevent further injuries until medics arrived to take him to a hospital, where he was in serious condition last Tuesday.

Police spokeswoman Renee Witt wrote in a website posting that officers thought the man might have been involved in the reported assault, but he insisted he was just a ninja trying to clear a 4- to 5-foot-tall fence.

Witt says the man was “overconfident in his abilities,” and that alcohol likely played a role.

Putin a hit at party

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rubbed shoulders with rappers and was hailed with “respect” in a television show that is expected to boost his flagging ratings.

Putin, wearing a turtleneck sweater and jacket, went on stage to present awards to participants in “Battle for Respect,” a hip-hop music contest run by Muz TV, a Russian rival to MTV.

“It would have been cool to record a joint track with Vladimir Putin because he is a legendary man and our idol,” sang rapper Zhigan, who won the contest. “Let’s make so much noise in his honor that the whole world can hear.”

Despite hip-hop’s violent image, Putin had a stern message for the rappers about healthy living.