Santa Fe Springs bank robbery linked to "Muscle Shirt Bandit"

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A man who robbed a bank branch in Santa Fe Springs last month is a serial bandit the FBI is calling the "Muscle Shirt Bandit," FBI officials said Friday.
The day after a successful Sept. 24 robbery at a U.S. Bank Branch at 13372 Telegraph Road, the robber attempted to rob two banks in Los Angeles but failed, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
He earned his moniker because he wore gray, sleeveless muscle shirts during the crimes, she added.
In the Santa Fe Springs heist, the robber entered the bank about 4:45 p.m. and presented a teller with a note demanding cash, Whittier police said in a written statement.
He received an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area, police added.
The bandit has also been tied to two Sept. 25 attempted robberies at neighboring banks in Los Angeles, Eimiller said.
He tried to rob a Citibank branch at 3530 Wilshire Blvd. about 12:45 p.m. before trying again five minutes later at a Wells Fargo branch at 3550 Wilshire Blvd, authorities said.
Witnesses have described the "Muscle Shirt Bandit" as a Latino man in his mid-30s to early 40s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180-185 pounds, according to police and FBI officials.
He has multiple tattoos on his arms and chest, as well as a tattoo reading, "Down4thesickness" on the back of his neck, Eimiller said. He was also seen carrying a dark-colored backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Whittier Police Department or the FBI.

*Surveillance image courtesy of the FBI