Chicago businessman charged in bank robberies

The owner of a Chicago clothing business has been arrested in a series of bank robberies that went on for more than three years.

Joseph "Jose" Banks appeared briefly before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole on Thursday and was ordered held pending a Monday bond hearing.

Federal authorities say Banks is charged with attempting to rob a Chase Bank branch on Chicago's North Side on August 26.

An FBI affidavit filed in court says Banks is believed to have taken part in a number of "take over" bank holdups that began December 31, 2004.

His attorney, John T. Kennedy, hasn't returned a message seeking comment.