Alleged Tourist Bandit Arrested

Rex Lutton, 54, no known residence, was arrested today after attempting to rob a merchant customer who was transferring a large sum of money inside a Bank of America branch on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Lutton, who was armed with a knife during the attempted robbery, fled the bank after an altercation with the victim and was subsequently apprehended near the bank by security guards working in the vicinity. LAPD/FBI responded and conducted an investigation. Lutton is also suspected in a pair of bank robberies linked to a suspect nicknamed the “Tourist Bandit” earlier this week in the cities of West Hollywood, on 8/22, and in Venice, on 8/24. Photos of the “Tourist Bandit” were released to the media earlier this week.

Lutton is being held at LAPD Hollywood Division and was booked on state charges in connection with today’s armed robbery inside the bank. Lutton, a parolee at large who escaped from federal custody earlier this month, is also expected to be charged federally in connection with the bank robberies.