Feds seek public's help identifying 'Sport Bike Bandit'

Feb. 4, 2010 | KPCC

www.labankrobbers.org

Surveillance image of 'Sport Bike Bandit' suspect linked to several bank robberies in the Southland over a three year period.

Federal and local authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying an individual responsible for seven bank robberies over the last three years.

The FBI and Long Beach police detectives announced they are searching for the so called "Sports Bike Bandit," an individual believed to be linked to three bank robberies in late 2008, two in 2009 and two bank robberies in the past six weeks.

The heists were all located in southern Los Angeles County and the city of Pasadena. Investigators reported they have yet to determine whether the bandit is working alone or with others.

"At this point there's no indication that any one else is involved. It has been just one man who has been doing very violent take-over robberies. He even took a hostage once," said Laura Eimiller, of the FBI's office.

During a 2008 robbery, the suspect male executed a takeover-style bank robbery wearing a black motorcycle helmet and leather jacket, as well as a colored bandana and black sunglasses. Recent reports describe the bandit’s helmet as having black or orange, shiny tape on it.

The most recent robberies attributed to the suspect have been at the Citibank branch, 2250 N. Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach on Dec. 15, 2009, and at a Cal National Bank, 5767 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Long Beach on January 26.

Eimiller noted that the sporadic timing of the suspect's three-year long streak of heists is rather unusual, adding "usually they rob once a day, or once a month. Pretty consistently till they get caught."

The bandit was described as having fled on a sport-type motorcycle, possibly a red or burgundy Honda.

Authorities have described the suspect as a white or Hispanic male, between the age of 30-40, with a height between 5'5" to 5'8" and weighing 150-160 lbs.

While the appearance of the helmet has changed, the suspect often wears black pants, jacket and gloves. Reports also note the suspect has used a black semiautomatic handgun and revolver during a heist.