“Desperate Bandit” strikes for seventh time Friday in La Habra

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LA HABRA – Wearing a blond wig, a serial bank robber dubbed the “Desperate Bandit” hit a local bank Friday afternoon.

It was the seventh robbery tied to him since August.

La Habra police said the suspect used a note demanding money during the heist but didn’t say how much money was taken.

Officers were called shortly after 2 p.m. to a robbery in progress at the Bank of the West, 1330 S. Beach Blvd., Suite A. The robber had already fled.

The FBI dubbed the robber “Desperate Bandit” because some of his demand notes claimed he is armed and desperate.

Unlike the earlier robberies, he wore a wig and was on foot this time.

He was seen driving a late model white 4-door Toyota Corolla with a factory spoiler in the other robberies.

The bandit may ask to cash a company check as part of his modus operandi, according to the FBI. He also presents a typed demand note threatening he has a gun and verbally demands cash.

The bandit first struck Aug. 8 at the US Bank, 12801 Central Avenue in Chino.

He also robbed the Bank of the West at 3021 Yorba Linda in Fullerton on Aug. 14, the US Bank at 3800 E. La Palma in Anaheim on Sept. 5, Bank of the West,701 E. 1st Street in Tustin and Bank of America, 2601 Green River in Corona on Sept. 14 plus the US Bank at 201 E. Yorba Linda in Placentia on Sept. 28.

The robber was described as a white man, 40 to 50, between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds. He has short brown and gray hair.

In the La Habra rbbery, he wore a wig, a blue baseball hat, a green T-shirt with white “NUTRISHOP” insignia and khaki pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 310-477-6565 or the La Habra Police Department at 562-905-9750 or anonymously at 562-905-9611.

– Ruby Gonzales

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