Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Police Department
After wielding a knife and holding up the same Los Alamitos-based bank four times in less than two years, officers have arrested a Long Beach man who they believe to be the “5K Bandit”–a moniker given to the suspect by the FBI.
Police say that 41-year-old Keith Alonzo Smith Sr. of Long Beach, whose latest hold up at the US Bank at 10942 Pine Street was on Monday, demanded money from tellers and threatened them with a large butcher knife. After the robbery was reported and witness descriptions were provided, a Los Alamitos police officer noticed someone matching the description speeding along Katella Ave. between the 605 freeway and Los Alamitos Blvd. in a gray 2009 Dodge Charger.
The officer gave chase and after losing control of his vehicle, suspect Smith crashed into an embankment and attempted to escape on foot. He was eventually caught and booked on suspicion of robbery.
Smith is believed to be responsible for three other hold ups at the same US Bank branch: on June 21, 2011; June 30, 2012 and September 12, 2012. The FBI had dubbed him “The 5K Bandit” because he made off with about $5000 after each robbery.
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