NEW YORK (AP) – Police are looking for an elusive thief who has pulled off seven bank heists in the last 2 ½ months in Long Island’s Nassau County.

Dubbed the Bling Bandit for his flashy pinkie ring and watch, police say the man appears cool and collected and often engages the teller in small talk while demanding money. During some of the robberies, police say, the man has displayed what appears to be a black semiautomatic handgun.

The robbery spree began on June 12; the last heist was Tuesday.

Nassau police have declined to reveal how much money he has stolen in order to discourage copycats.

The bandit is also a suspect in two robberies in July of Chase branches in St. Albans and Flushing, both in Queens.

AP-ES-08-28-08 1318EDT