“Greenhorn Bandits” sought in bank heists in Diamond Bar, San Dimas, Redlands

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After apparently starting their bank robbing careers with heists in San Dimas and Diamond Bar, a duo of robbers the FBI has dubbed “The Greenhorn Bandits” struck again Thursday in Redlands.
The name was chosen for the bandits because of the amateur manner in which the takeover robberies have been carried out so far, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
“They’re described as being somewhat clumsy and inexperienced by witnesses,”she said.
The robbers’ apparent lack of experience and skill, “could add to the potential for violence,” she added.
But with three bank robberies credited to them since May 16, they’re building their criminal resume fast.
The first robbery linked to the Greenhorn Bandits took place shortly after 3 p.m. May 16 at the California Bank & Trust, 1200 S. Diamond Bar Blvd. in Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Cruz Solis said.
On Monday, exactly one week later, the robbers showed up another California Bank & Trust branch at 530 W. Bonita Avenue in San Dimas just after noon, sheriff’s officials said.
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The Greenhorn Bandits robbed again just before 10:30 p.m. at a Community Bank, 200 E. Citrus Ave. in Redlands, officials said.
In all three robberies, the robbers were described as Latino or black men, between 25 and 33 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing bandanas over their faces and hooded sweat shirts, Eimiller said.
The men brandish a black revolver as they take over the banks and have been caught on surveillance tape carrying a white plastic grocery bag to put the stolen money in.
A third suspect has been reported by witnesses acting as a getaway driver who remains in a truck parked near the banks, authorities said.
In at least one of the robberies, witnesses described the truck as a silver Nissan to sheriff’s investigators.
“The suspects are considered armed and dangerous,” Eimiller said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement.
PHOTOS courtesy of the FBI
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