A Whittier parolee accused of a series of five San Gabriel Valley bank robberies pleaded not guilty Thursday in West Covina Superior Court.

Jerry Lee Franklin, 39, was ordered to return to court May 16 for a preliminary hearing, court officials said.

He’s accused of five counts of robbery in connection with heists reported in Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights and West Covina between July of last year and April 23, when he was arrested in Whittier following a police chase, authorities said.

The FBI has given him the moniker, “The Stretch Bandit.”

In addition to the robberies, Franklin is also charged with a felony count of evading police.