Photo courtesy of LASD.
Multiple agencies in the Southland are asking for the public’s help in finding a prolific bank robber and his accomplices, linked to at least 15 robberies across the county, including a recent one in Long Beach, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).
In November 2015, detectives from LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau-Metro Detail were investigating a bank robbery in Rosemead, when they soon discovered the robbery was just the first known heist by the pair, LASD Deputy Lillian Peck stated in a release.
Now, the detectives have partnered with detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to catch the two men, who they said have robbed banks across the County of Los Angeles, including a Long Beach Chase Bank on Atlantic Avenue in February and banks in Cerritos, Lakewood, Bellflower, Alhambra, Woodland Hills, North Hills, Van Nuys and Tarzana.
The robber—dubbed the Cold Hands Bandit for his tendency to conceal his hands while committing the holdups—is described as a black man, 25 to 30 years of age, about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and with a thin build. His accomplice is described as a black man, 25 to 30 years old, measuring at about 5 feet, 9 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing about 190 to 200 pounds.
Officials said the robber’s modus operandi includes “passing a demand note and threatening violence if his demands for money are not met.”
The suspects were also seen escaping the scene of one bank robbery in a late model silver Dodge Charger, according to authorities.
In an effort to identify, locate and arrest these wanton criminals before threats of violence are carried out, detectives are asking the public for their assistance. If you have information about the suspects, their identity, location, or vehicle, please call any of the following numbers immediately: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau – Metro Detail: 562.946.7893 Los Angeles Police Department Robbery – Homicide Division: 877.527.3247. Federal Bureau of Investigation: 310.477.6565.