Pico Rivera bank robbery linked to serial bandit

PICO RIVERA -- A bank robbery carried out in Pico Rivera last week has been linked to a serial bandit already believed responsible for two other heists, authorities said.

The "Lift and Show Bandit" struck the Chase bank branch at 9125 E. Whittier Blvd. Friday afternoon, shortly before closing, authorities said.

He's also been tied to a Dec. 20, 2011 robbery at the Bank of America, 1520 E. Amar Road in West Covina, as well as a Dec. 4, 2011 robbery at a Chase bank at 925 N. Hacienda Blvd. in La Puente, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

The bandit was given his name because of his tendency to lift his jacket during the robberies, exposing a black handgun, and threatening to shoot people, FBI officials said.

He's described as white, 25 to 34 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 to 185 pounds. No getaway car has been reported in connection with the crimes.

Meanwhile, authorities in Rowland Heights had yet to confirm whether a lanky man who robbed a bank branch in that city Saturday was the same serial bandit who robbed another Rowland Heights bank Jan. 11.

The "Stretch Bandit," who earned his name because of his estimated height of more than 6 feet 2 inches, was linked the Jan. 11 robbery at the Bank of the West, 19005 Colima Road, FBI officials said.

A robber bearing a similar description robbed a Citibank, 18847 Colima Road, Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

Saturday's robbery, however, has not been definitively identified as the Stretch Bandit, whom authorities describe as being about 6 feet 3 inches tall and of thin build -- about 190 pounds. He's 35 to 42 years old with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a and a white, 4-door Honda Accord with a tinted rear window and the first two license plate numbers of "3Z" has been spotted in connection with the crimes.

Sheriff's officials further described him as having blonde hair and blue eyes.

Though the Stretch Bandit has claimed to have a gun during the crimes, no weapon has been seen by witnesses, investigators said.

Another serial bandit's spree came to an end this month, as La Habra police and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies chased down and captured a man dubbed the "Bubble Wrap Bandit" after a heist at the La Habra U.S. Bank branch Jan. 7.

The bandit, now identified as 34-year-old Francisco Gallegos of Cudahy, is suspected in five robberies spanning La Habra, La Mirada, Bell Gardens and South Gate, according to the FBI.

Anyone with information on any of the cases is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour tip line in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565.

PHOTO of Lift and Show Bandit courtesy of the FBI