SAN DIEGO -- The FBI sought public assistance Tuesday in finding a gunman suspected of two local bank robberies and 16 others in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The so-called "Big Nose Bandit" robbed a Bank of America branch at 3450 Marron Road in Oceanside Oct. 6 and the California Bank and Trust branch at 675 Carlsbad Village Drive in Carlsbad on Oct. 14, according to April Langwell of the FBI's San Diego office.

The man demands money and displays at least one handgun, Langwell said.

According to surveillance tapes and witness statements, the robber appears to be Latino or of Middle Eastern descent. He's about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 160-170 pounds and has black hair, Langwell said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the San Diego Bank Robbery Task Force at (760) 929-0811 or (858) 565-1255. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (619) 235-TIPS.