HOUSTON -- 2008 comes to a close in six weeks and the Houston area is about to set another record. So far, 113 banks have been robbed in 2007, which is almost as many as 2007. 

But what has the FBI worried is that the robberies have become increasingly more violent.

"In the last two weeks, we've actually had robberies where shots have been fired," said Brian Ritchie, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The push to get the agency's Dirty Dozen bank robbers off the streets has fallen on the shoulders of the FBI's Brian Ritchie.

"We believe it's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed," said Ritchie.

Twenty-seven Houston area banks have been robbed since Hurricane Ike battered the Texas coast.

The FBI has nabbed two suspected robbers, but the search for the others goes on.

Kerry Jevon Smith is accused of robbing four banks in two days. He's behind bars now. And so is Stephen Lee Miley.

But still on the run is the Point Blank Robber. The FBI said he's armed and dangerous. He’s also responsible for four bank robberies.

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"He walks in and immediately grabs the first person he sees. He intimidates his victims by his size and his language, plus he puts the gun right on them," said Ritchie.

The FBI is also looking for the robber that they have dubbed the Note Passer. He's robbed five banks by passing notes.

"They need to be off the streets.  They need to be behind bars.  People need to feel safe, we're going to try to do everything we can," said Amy Smith, Crime Stoppers of Houston.