MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office said it is still searching for a man who robbed the Westamerica Bank in Middletown on Wednesday, with the suspect believed to be responsible for several other bank robberies around the region.

The agency also released several still images of the suspect – who robbed the bank at 21058 Calistoga Road just before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday – that were taken from the bank's video surveillance system.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that at approximately 2:39 p.m. Wednesday a male subject walked into the Tri Counties Bank, located at 21097 Calistoga Road in Middletown, and asked the teller to make change for a $100 dollar bill, which he received.

The subject left the bank after receiving his change without incident. However, a bank employee contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the subject left, due to the employee having a feeling that the subject may have been there to rob the bank, Brooks said.

Brooks said the subject was described as a white male adult, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a stocky build and scruffy facial hair. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black baseball hat and sunglasses.

A Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy responded to the bank and arrived within seven minutes of the call being placed, Brooks said. The deputy obtained the subject's description and conducted an area check, but was unable to locate the man.

Then, at 3:23 p.m., a male subject walked into the Westamerica Bank and asked the teller to make change for a $100 bill, Brooks said.

When the teller turned to make change, the suspect produced a note instructing the teller to give him money. Brooks said the note also indicated that the suspect was in possession of a firearm, although no weapon was seen.

The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the teller and then walked out of the bank, leaving in an unknown direction, Brooks said.

He said the description of the suspect was nearly identical to the description provided by employees of Tri Counties Bank.

The first sheriff’s office patrol deputy arrived at the bank within four minutes of the call being placed. Numerous Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies, detectives and California Highway Patrol Officers arrived at the scene a short time later, Brooks said.

An extensive search of the area was conducted with negative results. Crime scene investigators also responded to collect evidence, and Brooks said the Federal Bureau of Investigations was notified of the robbery.

Brooks said the suspect in Wednesday's robbery in Middletown is believed to be the same suspect responsible for several bank robberies which have recently occurred in the North Bay area.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.