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MONROVIA -- Two suspects in a Colorado Boulevard robbery were behind bars Saturday as police continued seeking a third.
Anthony Villa, 19, and Roger Macedonio, 20, both of Monrovia, were booked on suspicion of robbery shortly after Thursday's 11 p.m. heist on Colorado Boulevard at Violet Avenue, Monrovia police Sgt. Patty Newton said.
A young man was walking when he was approached by three other young men who demanded money and assaulted him, the sergeant said.
The robbers obtained some cash, and the victim suffered minor injuries, she said. It was not clear if a weapon was involved in the robbery.
Police searched the area and found Villa and Macedonio, who were ultimately arrested in connection with the robbery, Newton said. The third suspect has been identified but remained at-large Saturday.
Villa and Macedonio were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each pending arraignment Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court, according to county booking records.
PICO RIVERA -- Three men robbed another man at gunpoint and slashed his hand with a knife Thursday before fleeing the scene in a car with a "Baby on Board" sticker on the back, authorities said.
The crime took place just after 1:20 p.m. at Coolhurst Drive and Pico Vista Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Ernest Bille said.
A man in his 20s was walking when he was approached by three robbers in a white, 4-door, 90s-model Honda Accord with a "Baby on Board" sticker adorning the rear, the sergeant said.
At least two of the robbers exited the car and demanded cash from the victim, who turned over about $15, the sergeant said. A struggle took place during the robbery, during which the victim suffered a minor slash to his hand.
In addition to a knife, the robbers also brandished a handgun during the crime, Bille said.
The robbers were initially described only as a white man, a Latino man and a black man, he added.
The suspects' car was last seen heading south on Pico Vista Road toward Washington Boulevard.
TEMPLE CITY -- A masked gunman robbed a donut shop along Rosemead Boulevard early Wednesday, authorities said.
The robber wore a ski mask as he entered Rose Donut, at Rosemead Boulevard and Longden Avenue, about 8 a.m., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Edward Godfrey said.
Using a handgun, he robbed the business and was last seen fleeing the area on foot, the lieutenant said.
Officials described the robber as a Latino or white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 180 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a black hooded sweat shirt and dark-colored jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Temple Station at 626-448-9861.
PASADENA -- A man is behind bars on suspicion of kidnapping and robbing another man late Thursday, polcie said.
Rasheed Mack, 24, of Las Vegas was booked on suspicion of robbery, with a charge of kidnapping expected to be added, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A man in his 30s was waiting at a bus stop at 160 N. Lake Ave. when another man demanded money, Torres said. No weapon was seen.
The victim handed over a small amount of cash, and the suspect forced him to walk to an ATM machine at a nearby grocery store and withdraw more money, the lieutenant said.
While at the store, the victim alerted security guards that he was being robbed, police said.
Store security called the police, who found and arrested Mack as he was walking in the area, Torres said.
According to county booking records, Mack was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance.
PASADENA -- Two unrelated robberies kept police busy Friday afternoon, officials said.
The first crime was reported about 12:45 p.m. at Marengo Avenue and Grandview Street, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A 70-year-old man was walking when he was approached by two other men, one of whom was armed with a large folding knife, Torres said.
The robbers demanded cash, and the victim turned over nearly $1,000, he said.
One of the robbers was described as a Latino man in his 50s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, of thin build, with short salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a light blue shirt and light blue pants.
The second robber was a Latino man in his mid-40s, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, 190 pounds, clean-cut, with short gray hair, police said. He wore a light blue business suit.
The robbers were last seen running north from the area.
A second robbery was reported about 2:30 p.m. at a gas station on Hill Avenue at Walnut Street, Torres said.
An employee was preparing to make a bank deposit when a robber armed with a stun gun confronted him and demanded the money, police said.
The victim, who is in his 60s, and the robber struggled briefly before the robber manage to get the money and run, Torres said. the employee was not hurt.
Police described the robber as a black man in his mid-30s, of dark complexion, with short black hair, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Bank robberies in Los Angeles County and across the state have hit a 10-year low, according to the FBI.
Annual bank robbery statistics released by the FBI Wednesday indicate that officials investigated 122 bank robberies in the county in 2011, compared with 168 in 2010.
With the exception of a moderate uptick in bank heists in 2008 and 2009, bank robberies in Los Angeles county have been steadily waning since 2002, when 401 such crimes were reported.
A similar trend was seen statewide, where 677 bank robberies took place in 2011, down from 779 in 2010 and 1,405 in 2002, according to the FBI report.
"The decrease in overall robberies is attributable in part to closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, successful prosecution by the United States Attorney's Office and its counterparts at the district attorney's offices, as well as a more proactive approach by the banking community in the implementation of additional security measures," FBI officials said in a written statement.
"In addition, media coverage of increasingly clear bank surveillance photographs, and rewards offered by banks and law enforcement (have) contributed to the community's awareness and has generated valuable assistance from the public in the identification of unknown subjects," the statement said.
According to the data, California saw about twice the number of bank robberies as any other state. New York comes in second with 339 bank robberies reported in 2011.
Bank heists have been on a steady decline since the early 1990s, officials added.
The FBI's Los Angeles Field Officer serves seven Southern California Counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Though yearly numbers show bank robberies declining, "In January 2012, the pace of bank robberies has increased and so far this year, 40 bank robberies have been reported in the seven-county area, primarily in Los Angeles and Orange counties, followed by Riverside County.
About 12 percent of the heists reported to the Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI were "takeovers" -- in which employees or customers are held hostage during the crime.
Along with the updated statistics, the FBI Wednesday issued a list of the region's top ten wanted serial bank robbers.
They include the "Explosive Threat Bandit," tied to six L.A. County bank robberies since November -- the first of which took place at a West Covina Bank of America Branch; as well as the "Lift and Show Bandit," linked to three bank robberies in La Puente, West Covina and Pico Rivera since December.
Seven suspected serial bank robbers who have been operating in the Los Angeles area have been arrested this month, including the prolific "Market Duo," "Bubble Wrap" and "Puffy Coat" bandits.
Anyone with information about a bank robber at-large is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour tip line in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565.
PHOTOS of the "Explosive Threat Bandit" (top) and the "Lift and Show Bandit," (below) courtesy of the FBI.
WEST COVINA -- Two robbers posing as solicitors forced their way into the home of a 90-year-old man last week and stole items including jewelry that belonged to the man's deceased wife, authorities said.
The crime took place Thursday at a home in the 400 block of South Mesita Place, however the victim did not report it until Tuesday after family members convinced him to do so, West Covina police officials said.
The elderly victim answered a knock at his door about 1:10 p.m., Lt. Marty Sevilla said. He encountered two men -- one of about 60 years old and one of about 30 years old -- who had a clipboard with them and believed them to be solicitors.
"The men forced their way in by pushing the elderly man onto a chair," Sevilla said. "The older male remained with the victim while the other man ransacked the home, taking jewelry belonging the victim's deceased wife and cash."
The robbers were inside the man's home for about five minutes before running off, the lieutenant said. The homeowner was not hurt.
Police described the older suspect as white, about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall and heavyset. The younger robber was white, five feet 6 inches to five feet 8 inches tall and of thin build.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Covina police at 626-939-8557, or tips can be left anonymously on the department's 24-hour tip line at 626-939-8688.
WEST COVINA -- Two robbers pulled a handgun on a store security guard who confronted them while stealing a trash bag full of merchandise from a department store late Friday, police said.
A security guard at Ross, 2753 E. Eastland Center Drive, noticed two men walking toward the exit with a trash bag full of goods just before the store's 10 p.m. closing time, West Covina police Lt. Marty Sevilla said.
One of the men pulled a revolver, pointed it at the guard and told him something in Spanish, Sevilla said.
The robbers then got into a waiting four-door, gray compact car with a third man at the wheel, he added.
Police described the robber who carried the trash bag as a Latino man in his 20s, wearing a black jacket and a dark-colored baseball cap. The gunman was also a Latino man in his 20s, wearing a blue Dodgers jersey with the number "323" written on the back and a dark-colored baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500. Tips can also be left with the department's 24-hour anonymous tip line at 626-939-8688.
WHITTIER -- A would-be bandit left empty-handed Monday after trying unsuccessfully to rob both a bank and a sandwich shop in Uptown Whittier, police said.
The crook entered the Chase bank branch, 13103 E. Philadelphia Ave., about 12:10 p.m. and handed a teller a note demanding money and stating he had a bomb, Whittier police Lt. Randy Inman said.
The teller turned over no cash, and the failed robber left the bank, he said.
About 10 minutes later, a man police believe to be the same attempted robber showed up at a Subway restaurant around the corner at 7201 Greenleaf Ave., the lieutenant said.
He presented an employee a note demanding cash and stating he had a gun, police said. The employee retreated to the rear of the business, and the suspect again fled empty-handed.
Authorities described the robber as a white man, about 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 180 pounds, Inman said. He wore a black baseball cap with a letter "A" on it, a dark-green jacket and blue jeans during the crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Whittier Police Department at 562-567-9200.
- PHOTO courtesy of the FBI
MONTEREY PARK -- Investigators jailed three men and a woman late Friday in connection with the robbery of two women the previous night, authorities said.
Roger Egoavil, 25, of Alhambra and Isaac Rivera, 23, of Fontana, both parolees, were booked on suspicion of robbery, Monterey Park police Lt. Tina Montoya said. Danny Egoavil, 23, of Alhambra was booked on suspicion of aiding and abetting and Ruth Rivera, 21, of Alhambra was booked on suspicion of criminal conspiracy.
The relationship between the suspects was not clear Saturday.
Roger Egoavil and Isaac Rivera are accused of approaching two women as they walked at McPherrin and Avondale avenues about 10 p.m. Thursday and robbing them of their purses, police said.
Sgt. Frank Duke said detectives identified suspects in the case, though he declined to say exactly how. After carrying out surveillance operations throughout the San Gabriel Valley, police rounded up and arrested the four suspects Friday and early Saturday.
According to county booking records, Roger Egoavil and Isaac Rivera were being held without bail. Danny Egoavil was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and Ruth Rivera was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
All four were due for arraignment Wednesday in Alhambra Superior Court.\
AZUSA -- A woman kept her purse and socked a thief when the culprit tried to snatch the bag Friday night.
Sheriff's Lt. Andy Berg said an 18-year-old Azusa woman was walking in the 18300 block of Galatea Street about 6 p.m. when a driver in a small white pickup truck drove alongside her and tried to grab her purse.
"She hangs onto it and won't let go. He punches her. She punches him back," Berg said.
The would-be snatcher hurled an insult at the woman and drove away.
"He didn't get anything from her," the lieutenant said.
Deputies are handling the attempted purse-snatching because it happened in an unincorporated county area near Azusa.
The suspect was described as a Latino, 20 to 25, with a dark complexion and brown hair in a "fade" hairstyle.
- Ruby Gonzales
DIAMOND BAR -- Detective have renewed their call for the public's help in tracking down a man who robbed a bank last year.
The robbery took place about 1:30 p.m. Aug. 30, 2011, at the Cal Bank and Trust, 1200 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., according to Detective Angel Matute of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau.
Authorities have a high-quality surveillance images of the suspect and believe he may still be in the area, so they again called on the public this week to see if they recognize the bandit, Matute said.
"(The suspect) has committed other crimes in the same general vicinity along Diamond Bar Boulevard," according to a wanted flyer issued by the sheriff's department. "It is believed that he either lives in, or regularly frequents, the area."
Information on other crimes the man is suspected of was not available Friday.
Investigators described the robber as a white man in his 40s, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and a thin brown and gray beard. He wore a baseball cap, black rimmed glasses, a white long-sleeved shirt with a zipper and denim shorts, and he carried a black bag.
"Due to the thin growth of beard, the suspect may have only grown the beard to help disguise his face. He may now be clean-shaven," according to the wanted flyer.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Walnut-Diamond Bar Station at 909-595-2264.
LA MIRADA -- Officials Wednesday jailed a Whittier man suspected of being part of a serial bank robbery team responsible for five Orange County heists since October of last year.
Andres Soto, 50, is accused of being one of the "Market Duo Bandits," linked to five bank robberies targeting bank branches inside of supermarkets, according to La Habra police and FBI officials.
Police identified Soto as a suspect and arrested him during a traffic stop in the 14000 block of E. Imperial highway in La Mirada without a struggle Wednesday, La Habra police said.
Another suspect, identified as Paul Acosta, 27, of Los Angeles, was arrested Jan. 5 after the bandits' second heist at a bank branch inside a supermarket in the 2100 block of West Imperial Highway, according to the Orange County Register. Acosta was arrested following a pursuit and deputy-involved shooting in Paramount, while a second suspect fled on foot an escaped.
The bandits are also believed to have robbed the same bank branch on Oct. 25, La Habra police officials said in a written statement.
The string of robberies took place in La Habra, Lake Forest, Seal Beach and Placentia, officials said.
A third suspect was reportedly arrested in connection with the robbery spree in the days following Acosta's arrest, however information on that suspect was not released.
According to county booking records, Soto and Acosta were both due to appear Friday in Orange County Superior Court.
Meanwhile, another alleged serial bank robbery suspect is awaiting trial after his criminal career came to and end following a bank robbery in La Habra.
La Habra police officers and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies arrested 34-year-old Francisco Gallegos Jan. 7 after he robbed a bank branch inside a La Habra supermarket. He's accused of being the "Bubble Wrap Bandit" -- responsible for at least five bank robberies in La Habra, La Mirada, Bell Gardens and South Gate.
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
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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