Home Los Angeles Press Releases 2009 “20 Questions Bandits” Wanted for Four Violent Armed Takeover Bank Robberies in Thousand Oaks, California in 2009...
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“20 Questions Bandits” Wanted for Four Violent Armed Takeover Bank Robberies in Thousand Oaks, California in 2009

FBI Los Angeles December 10, 2009
  • Public Affairs Specialist Laura Eimiller (310) 996-3343

The FBI and detectives with multiple police and sheriff’s departments in Ventura County are seeking the public’s assistance in learning the identity of the “20 Questions Bandits,” the moniker for at least four unidentified men believed to be responsible for four violent, armed takeover bank robberies in Ventura County, California, this year.

During the most recent robbery, which took place at a Bank of America inside a supermarket in the city of Oxnard, the bandits were extremely violent and assaulted employees inside the bank. Bank of America is offering a reward of $10,000 in exchange for information leading to the conviction of the persons responsible for this robbery.

In addition to the distribution of bank surveillance photographs from Monday’s robbery, the FBI is releasing a photograph of two males seen inside the supermarket/bank prior to the robbery. The unidentified men in these photographs are not considered suspects but, based on the investigation thus far, officers and agents believe these men may have information about the bank robbery.

During one robbery believed to have been committed by this group in July of this year at the Bank of America’s Oak Brook Branch, witnesses described four black males armed with guns, who forced the employees and customers in the bank to comply with their demands while they robbed the bank, and in some cases, victims of their personal belongings.

During the four robberies linked to this group, the suspects asked several questions during the robberies, according to witnesses, and were, therefore, nicknamed the “20 Questions Bandits.”

This investigation is being conducted jointly by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura Police Department and the FBI. Anyone with info can call these agencies or 911. The FBI may be reached 24 hours a day at 888 CANT HIDE (888 226-8443).