$100K Reward Offered for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of “20 Questions Bandits,” Violent Group Robbing Banks in Multiple Counties

FBI agents and detectives with multiple law enforcement agencies in three counties are seeking the public’s assistance in learning the identity of the “20 Questions Bandits,” a group of at least four unidentified men believed to be responsible for 11 takeover bank robberies in Ventura, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. U.S. Bank, East West Bank, Cathay Bank, and several Bank of America locations were targeted by the bandits. Bank of America is offering a reward of up to $100,000* in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for these robberies.

During the various robberies, the bandits were extremely violent and, in some cases, displayed weapons. Witnesses have described four black males, in some cases armed with guns, who have forced bank employees and customers inside the bank to comply with their demands for cash and to follow their instructions. In some cases, the bandits also robbed victims of personal belongings. During the initial robberies linked to this group, the suspects asked several questions while inside the bank, according to witnesses and were, therefore, nicknamed the 20 Questions Bandits.

The most recent robbery attributed to the 20 Questions Bandits occurred on April 2, 2010 at a Bank of America in the city of Newport Beach. The following is a list of robberies law enforcement has linked to the 20 Questions Bandits:

• 3/3/09: U.S. Bank, Thousand Oaks, CA
• 7/2/09: Bank of America, Thousand Oaks, CA
• 11/13/09: U.S. Bank, Ventura, CA
• 11/19/09: East West Bank, Artesia, CA
• 12/7/09: Bank of America, Oxnard, CA
• 12/10/09: Bank of America, El Monte, CA
• 1/21/10: Bank of America, Westminster, CA
• 1/25/10: Bank of America, San Clemente, CA
• 2/5/10: Bank of America, Pomona, CA
• 3/10/10: Cathay Bank, Rowland Heights, CA
• 4/2/10: Bank of America, Newport Beach, CA

To date, there have been 101 bank robberies within the seven county region comprising the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office territory (Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange). Of that number, 22 were takeover robberies. On this date last year (2009), there were 149 robberies in the same seven county area; 37 of which were takeovers.

This investigation is being conducted jointly by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department; the Oxnard Police Department; the Ventura Police Department; the LAPD; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the El Monte Police Department; the Westminster Police Department; the Newport Beach Police Department; the Orange County Sheriff’s Department; the Pomona Police Department; and the FBI. Photographs can be found at www.labankrobbers.org. Anyone with information is urged to call the FBI, the above-listed agencies, or 911. The FBI may be reached 24 hours a day at 888 CANT HIDE (888 226-8443).

Media Contacts:
FBI:
Laura Eimiller: (310) 996-3343 or Lourdes Arocho: (310) 996-4402 (Spanish speaker)

Bank of America:
Colleen Haggerty, (213) 621-7414

*A reward is paid for original information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of a criminal suspect. Bank of America, in its sole discretion, will decide who is entitled to a reward and in what amount. Bank of America may pay only a portion of the maximum reward offered, up to $100,000. The decision will be based primarily upon law enforcement's evaluation of the value of the information provided. When there are multiple claimants, the reward will be shared in amounts determined by Bank of America. Bank of America associates are not eligible for the reward. This reward offer is good for one year from the date it is first offered, unless extended by Bank of America.