Reward for tips leading to capture, conviction of 'Blue Note Bandit' doubles

SANTA ANA — A day after robbing another bank, the reward for information leading to the conviction of the "Blue Note Bandit'' was doubled today to $20,000, authorities said.

The robber, who earned the nickname because he once handed a teller a note on blue paper, held up a U.S. Bank branch at 2300 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa on Monday.

U.S. Bank put up $10,000 in reward money today.

Authorities believe the same bandit hit a Wells Fargo branch in a Stater Bros. grocery store in Lake Forest on Dec. 28, and Wells Fargo offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his conviction.

The "Blue Note Bandit'' is suspected in 13 Orange County bank holdups over the past two months, prompting investigators to suspect he has a drug or gambling habit, FBI Special Agent Pete Angelini said.

"We haven't seen anything like this in quite some time,'' Angelini said, referring to the frequency of holdups.

Law enforcement officers could not recall the last time a robber hit that many banks in such a short time.

"Thirteen is pretty good, but we'd say he's been more lucky'' than good, Angelini said.

Investigators have developed a few leads, but hope anyone who recognizes the bandit would call the FBI at (714) 542-8825.

The bandit appears to work alone and typically wears a cap and sunglasses and goes about his stickups "methodically,'' Angelini said. He hands the teller a note demanding "large bills'' and "quickly,'' he said, adding that if the teller doesn't move fast enough, he threatens him or her.

No weapon has been seen in any of the robberies, Angelini said.

Before Monday's holdup, the "Blue Note Bandit'' robbed the First Bank and Trust branch at 25461 Rancho Niguel Road in Laguna Niguel about 1:10 p.m. Jan. 22.

Witnesses have described the suspect as having crooked, gapped teeth. He is white with a tan, in his 40s, with brown hair, an average build, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds.

He has also been linked to robberies at:

• California Bank and Trust in San Juan Capistrano on Nov. 30;
  
• a Chase Bank branch in Costa Mesa on Dec. 1;
  
• a U.S. Bank branch in Aliso Viejo on Dec. 2;
  
• a Chase Bank branch in Dana Point on Dec. 7;
  
• a Wachova branch in Irvine on Dec. 15;
  
• Nuvision Federal Credit Union in Laguna Hills on Dec. 16; and
  
• a Bank of America branch in Irvine on Dec. 21;
  
• a Wells Fargo branch in Lake Forest on Dec. 28;
  
• a La Jolla Bank in Mission Viejo on Dec. 30;
  
• a California Bank and Trust branch in Monarch Beach on Jan. 6 and;
  
• a Pacific Western Bank branch in Dana Point on Jan. 11.