I hope these thugs get caught, and it would be really cool if it was a FJ reader. It’s stuff like this, where a Bounty Hunter Mobile Application would totally shine. Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo could have easily signed on with mobile application, and updated the last known position as tips and information come in. It would be a way for their investigators to basically crowd source Southern California and the US in order to get these guys. –Matt
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$50,000 offered for violent bank robbers
By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
January 25, 2010
The ’20 questions bandits’ are believed to be responsible for at least six violent take-over bank robberies across three Southern California counties, authorities said.
Bank of America is offering up to $50,000 in exchange for information leading to their arrest.
During the six armed robberies, the four unidentified men assaulted bank employees and at times, also robbed customers of their belongings, according to a statement released by the FBI.
The four men are believed to be responsible for bank robberies in Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Oxnard and El Monte. The most recent robbery occurred in Westminster Thursday.
During the first robberies, witnesses said the four men asked several questions during the heist.
Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Westminster Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are also assisting in the investigation.
According to bank robbery statistics from the FBI, take-over style robberies are a rare occurrence. According to 2008 statistics from the agency, only a quarter of bank robbers use some sort of firearm during a bank robbery. In 57 percent of the cases, the only thing used by the bank robber is a demand note.
Of the 6,700 bank robberies that were investigated by the FBI in 2008, a total of 123 injuries were reported.
Bank of America is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the robberies.
The ’20 questions bandits’ are believed to be responsible for robberies at:
•U.S. Bank, Thousand Oaks on March 3, 2009
•Bank of America, Thousand Oaks, July 2, 2009
•U.S. Bank, Ventura, Nov. 13, 2009
•Bank of America, Oxnard, Dec. 7, 2009
•Bank of America, El Monte, Dec. 10, 2009
•Bank of America, Westminster, Jan. 21, 2010.
Story here.
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‘Blue Note Bandit’ hits bank No. 12
By LINDSEY BAGUIO
January 25, 2010
LAGUNA NIGUEL – Investigators continue their search for the “Blue Note Bandit,” accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of money from a Laguna Niguel bank Friday afternoon, authorities said.
The robbery was reported around 1:15 p.m. at First Bank and Trust on the 25400 block of Rancho Niguel Road, said Orange County Sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino.
The robber handed a note to the bank teller – though not on blue paper – demanding money and threatening that he had a gun, Amormino said. Authorities refer to him as the Blue Note Bandit because the note he used during what police believe was his first robbery was on blue paper.
Amormino described the robber as a white male with crooked teeth, in his 40s, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, and about 180 pounds. He always wears a baseball cap and sunglasses.
“He’s the most prolific bank robber currently operating in Orange County,” Amormino said. The suspect has hit 12 banks in the two months.
CHECK OUT ALL THE BANKS HIT BY THE BLUE NOTE BANDIT ON THIS INTERACTIVE MAP.
The robber always makes threats and has a gun, Amormino said. The teller on Friday didn’t see a gun but assumed the robber had one.
Wells Fargo, hit by the Blue Note Bandit in December, is offering up to $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the Blue Note Bandit. Call: 1-866-TIP-OCSD.
Story here.