Public's Help Sought In Identifying Robber Dubbed 'Job App Bandit'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect dubbed the "Job App Bandit" who has robbed at least nine businesses across the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
The robberies took place between Sept. 2 and Nov. 10 of this year, Los Angeles police said.
The suspect enters the businesses when they are closing and asks for a job application or a glass of water, authorities said.
When he receives the item, the "Job App Bandit" "simulates a handgun or brandishes it to the clerk, takes money from the registers and demands access to the safe," Det. Tom Thorton said.
He then flees on foot.
"Four of the robberies have occurred at different Starbucks Coffee Shops, four have occurred at different Subway Restaurants and one has occurred at a Coffee Bean Coffee Shop," Thorton said.
There has also been one robbery in Ventura and one in Burbank.
The suspect is described as a 20- to 30-year-old Black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black "Raiders" beanie, large dark-frame glasses and a dark-colored backpack. He is between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 140 to 160 pounds.
Anyone with information should contact Det. Tom Thorton with the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division at (213)486-6840.
