2011 Bank Robbery Numbers in Southern California Lower Than in Past Three Decades; Top 10 Serial Bandits Sought in Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office released its annual bank robbery statistics today for the area comprising the judicial district it parallels, the Central District of California—which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

The FBI investigates bank robberies jointly with police and sheriff’s departments that have jurisdiction for cities in which bank robberies occur. During 2011, law enforcement responded to 287 bank robberies in the seven county area; the majority of which occurred in Los Angeles County, where 122 bank robberies were reported, followed by Orange County, where 67 were reported. The state of California consistently experiences more bank robberies than any other state. On average, between 40 and 45 percent of robberies in California are committed in the Central District’s seven-county territory.

There were 34 takeover robberies during 2011 of the total 287 robberies. A takeover robbery occurs when one or more suspects take employees and customers inside a bank hostage during the commission of a robbery. Takeovers comprised 11.8 percent of overall bank robberies, comparatively lower than percentages reported in previous years.

The decrease in overall robberies is attributable in part to closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, successful prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office and its counterparts at the District Attorney’s Offices, as well as a more proactive approach by the banking community in the implementation of additional security measures. In addition, media coverage of increasingly clear bank surveillance photographs and rewards offered by banks and law enforcement has contributed to the community’s awareness and has generated valuable assistance from the public in the identification of unknown subjects.

The decreased number of bank robberies for 2011 is consistent with the fact that bank robberies have declined steadily in Southern California since the numbers peaked in the early 1990s. The numbers for 2011, 287, is approximately one-ninth of the number of total bank robberies that took place during the region’s high in 1992, when there were more than 2,600 bank robberies in the seven-county territory.

In January 2012, the pace of bank robberies has increased and so far this year, 40 bank robberies have been reported in the seven county area, primarily in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, followed by Riverside County.

Although several serial bandits were captured during the month of January, the FBI and its law enforcement partners are seeking the public’s assistance in order to identify 10 serial bank robbers responsible for a large number of hold-ups in Southern California. Bank surveillance photographs and descriptions of each suspect are being provided to the media.

Ten Wanted Serial Robbers

Cheekbone Bandit

M.O.: According to witnesses, the suspect enters bank and announces “Give me all your money” to the bank tellers. The robber repeatedly demands, “Fifties and hundreds.” Robber is inside the bank in less than a minute. The robber has been seen getting into the passenger side of various vehicles, including a late model gray or silver four door BMW with chrome rims; a spray painted or silver Honda Accord; or a four door Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Long Bed 1998 to 2000. During at least one robbery, the driver was described as a white male with blond hair.

Double Up Bandit

M.O.: Suspect enters a bank and presents a note demanding cash. The suspect takes the cash and leaves the location on foot. Suspect wore sunglasses on the second/third robbery and robbed the same bank on two separate occasions.

Explosives Threat Bandit

M.O.: During each robbery, the suspect left a device made up of electronic components and various wiring. The suspect stated that someone outside the bank would detonate the device, indicating the device involved explosives. During the West Covina robbery, the suspect stated, “I have a bomb.” After each robbery, a bomb squad from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the bank to render the device safe.

Geezer Bandit

M.O.: The Geezer Bandit has been described by witnesses as someone who appeared to be an elderly white male, but who may have been wearing a mask and synthetic gloves to disguise his age and facial features. A note demanding cash is passed to the victim teller while the suspect brandishes a revolver and threatens to shoot victims. The Geezer Bandit may use a day planner and may place the cash he receives in a plastic bag. The Geezer Bandit has worn a shirt and tie during robberies and a variety of baseball hats. The suspect is linked to 16 bank robberies in four counties since August of 2009 and may have driven a white vehicle, possibly a BMW, during some of the robberies.

Gone Plaid Bandit

M.O.: Suspect passes a note in which he demands cash and threatens a weapon. Suspect has worn baseball hats with oversized bills, sunglasses and, in some cases, plaid shirts. In certain robberies, the suspect has been described has having worn an Ace-type bandage on his right hand.

Interleague Play Bandit

M.O.: Suspect is seen in bank surveillance photos wearing sunglasses and is further described as having worn casual clothing, including buttoned-down shirts and sweatshirts. He is seen in various photos wearing baseball hats with various sports team logos. The Interleague Play Bandit was also seen wearing a patch on the left side of his neck. Investigators theorize the patch was possibly worn to cover a tattoo.

Lift and Show Bandit

M.O.: Lifts his jacket to show black handgun in waistband. Threatens to shoot victims.

Make it Quick Bandit

M.O.: The “Make it Quick” Bandit is described as an Hispanic male with dark and, possibly, thinning hair, as well facial hair which has been described by witnesses as a goatee. The bandit has indicated that someone is waiting for him outside of the bank and, in some cases, warns tellers that someone would be waiting outside of the bank for them if they did not quickly comply with his demands for cash. This bandit has selected banks located inside grocery stores and has been seen by witnesses spending time wandering the aisle of the store prior to the robbery.

Snowboarder Bandit

M.O.:  Approaches victim teller and presents a note that reads, “I’m here to make a deposit,” “Give me the money quickly,” and “I have a gun.” Threatens a weapon.

Stretch Bandit

M.O.: One-on-one robbery; demand note; threatened gun in demand note. Described as very tall and given name due to height.

Several bank robbers have been caught in the past month and are being prosecuted by federal or state prosecutors. Some examples are listed as follows:

Captured This Month

• Steven Dwayne Paulson, 46, the suspected Puffy Coat Bandit, was indicted by a federal grand jury for seven counts of bank robbery after being arrested on January 10, 2012. A detective with the Upland Police Department detained a driver matching the description of the suspect. This case was worked jointly by the multiple police and sheriff’s departments in Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Paulson will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California (Los Angeles).
• Eric Allen Jones, 41, was arrested earlier this week and is suspected to be responsible for bank robberies attributed to the “Bucket Hat” Bandit and the “Comply” Bandit for a series of six robberies in Orange County between November 2011 and January 2012. Jones will be prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
• Robert Vasquez, 28, the suspected 405 Bandit, was arrested by police in Culver City earlier this month in connection with three bank robberies in cities along the 405 in Los Angeles County. Vasquez will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California (Los Angeles).
• Francisco Gallegos, 34, of Cudahy, the suspected Bubble Wrap Bandit, was arrested earlier this month in connection with seven bank robberies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Gallegos will be prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney.
• Steven Craig Hart, 49, of Carlsbad, the suspected Dying Son Bandit was arrested in San Diego County on January 21, 2012 after law enforcement received a tip, following the publicity the case received. Hart is suspected in ten robberies in Orange and San Diego Counties. Hart will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney in the Southern District of California (San Diego).
• Paul Acosta, 28, of Los Angeles; Andres Soto, 50, of Whittier; and Richard Valdez, 52, of La Habra, part of the suspected “Market Duo Bandit” series, were arrested earlier this month in connection with a series of bank robberies in Orange County supermarkets. Following a robbery that occurred on January 5, 2012, police in multiple cities were led by suspects on a high speed pursuit. Acosta, Soto and Valdez will be prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the suspects in any of the above-listed series is urged to contact the FBI or dial 911 immediately. In Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 888 CANT HIDE (888 226-8443).

Photos of additional bank robbery suspects being sought by the FBI and its law enforcement partners in the Southern California area can be found by visiting www.labankrobbers.org.