211: August 2008 Archives

A man dubbed the "Irreconcilable Differences Bandit" was sentenced to 13 years in state prison Friday for his role in 13 Los Angeles County Bank robberies, including a Jan. 4 heist at a Pasadena Bank of America branch, as well as a residential robbery.
Alan Freidbaum, 56, of New Jersey entered a guilty plea at Pasadena Superior Court and was immediately sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teri Schwartz, a DA's office spokeswoman said.
He was also ordered to pay more than $38,000 in restitution to his victim's and the state's Victim's Restitution Fund.
Freidbaum earned his moniker by talking to one of the tellers he robbed about his divorce.
In addition to Pasadena, Freidbaum also robbed in Burbank, Encino, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Torrance, officials said.
He was captured on June 5 after robbing a Wells Fargo branch in Glendale.
As part of a plea bargain agreement, other counts of burglary were dismissed.

After a suggestion from yours truly, the FBI has christened an bank robbery believed to have struck two Arcadia banks in recent months the "Goldilocks Bandit."

The robber is believed to have robbed a Bank of the West branch on Aug. 8 and a Wachovia bank on July 18.

While speaking to FBI officials about the seemingly connected robberies several weeks ago, I suggested the name Goldilocks Bandit might be fitting, since the robber was seen wearing a blond wig. Apparently they agreed.

From reporter Ruby Gonzales on the 211 beat in Whittier:

LA HABRA - A man arrested for allegedly robbing a La Habra bank last week is a former Pasadena police officer.

The FBI said it is also investigating if the man, 44-year-old Vincent Cantu of Whittier, could be the apologetic "Polite Bandit" who hit three local banks in 2006.

"There are similarities," said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. She said the "Polite Bandit" robbed Banco Popular branches and the La Habra robbery was at a Banco Popular.

The bandit was seen with a gun during the 2006 heists and told victims he was sorry.

Not a lot of details yet, but reporter Jennifer McLain is at the scene of a take-over bank robbery (apparently a credit union) in West Covina.