Public's Help Sought In Search For Serial Bank Robbery Suspects
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Federal agents Thursday were asking for the public's help identifying two serial bandits wanted in a string of bank robberies in the San Fernando Valley and Foothills areas.
FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller told City News Service the eight-month search continued for the "Valley Bandit" this week.
The suspect is believed to have been involved in five bank robberies from December 2012 until late last month, during which he pointed a weapon at employees, Eimiller said.
The robberies were reported at Chase bank branches in Northridge and Granada Hills on July 24 and July 15, respectively, at a Bank of America branch in Winnetka June 28, at a Chase bank branch in North Hills June 14 and at a Bank of America branch in Northridge Dec. 18, Eimiller told CNS.
The suspect is described as a male in his late 20s to early 30s, between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds. Investigators say he may be of Hispanic or Middle Eastern descent.
The suspect's getaway vehicle in one of the robberies was described as white and could be a Mercedes SUV, investigators believe.
The "Foothills Bandit" is wanted in connection to three robberies occurring at Wells Fargo, Citibank and Union Bank branches in Temple City, Arcadia and Glendora between May and June of this year.
Investigators say the suspect in the Foothills case entered the banks with what he told employees was a bomb.
The suspect is described as white, 23 to 30-years-old, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 150 to 160 pounds.
Investigators do not believe the cases are related.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to call authorities.
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