WHITTIER — A failed robbery at a Chase bank branch in Uptown Whittier Wednesday is believed to be the work of a serial robber dubbed the “Black and Blue Bandit,” according to the FBI.
He’s been linked to robberies and attempted robberies at banks in Whittier, Montebello and Downey. He was given his moniker because he wears arm slings, knee and arm braces and Band-Aids during the crimes, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
Wednesday’s robbery was reported at 5:01 p.m. at the bank, 13103 E. Philadelphia Street, Whittier police officials confirmed Friday.
The suspect entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money, Whittier police Sgt. Jim De Masi said.
He fled the bank on foot without receiving any money, the sergeant said. “No weapon was seen.”
Whittier police said the robber wore a Band-Aid on his right cheek during the crime.
The Black and Blue Bandit has also been linked to a Nov. 12 robbery at a Chase bank branch at 896 Beverly Blvd., Eimiller said.
In that case, the robber pretended to have a weapon as he handed a teller a note demanding $4,000, Montebello police Lt. Rick Rojas said shortly after the heist.
The teller went to a back room, claiming he was going to retrieve the money for the bandit, Rojas said. The teller activated a silent alarm instead.
The robber apparently became nervous and ran from the bank without any cash, police said.

He was last seen headed east from the bank.
Witnesses told police the bandit was dressed in blue medical scrubs and wore a blue baseball cap and kept one of his arms in a blue sling, Rojas said. He also has blue eyes.
FBI officials said the Black and Blue Bandit had previously made an Oct. 20 visit to the Bank of America branch, 10010 Paramount Blvd. in Downey.
In that robbery, a handgun was seen tucked into his waistband, and the robber fled with about $3,300, Downey police Detective Maria Villegas said.
The FBI described the bandit as a white man in his 40s, about 5-feet 9-inches tall, 175 pounds, with acne scars on his face.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s Los Angeles 24-hour line at 800-226-8883.

SURVEILLANCE photos courtesy of the FBI