Image of the Tiger Bandit from the FBI
By Brian Hews
A suspect who robbed a Cerritos bank as well as five other locations has been identified as the “Tiger Bandit”, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced on Friday.
“On the morning of Friday, November 30, 2012, members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI responded to a report of a bank robbery at the U.S. Bank, 2270 Pacific Coast Highway in Lomita, California. The suspect was described as a Black or Hispanic male with a dark complexion, stocky build and, possibly, a skin condition,” FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller told Hews Media Group in a statement.
Since last Friday, investigators have linked this bandit to five other bank robberies in the cities on the following dates:
In bank surveillance photos, the suspect can be seen wearing a Detroit Tigers baseball hat and has been nicknamed the “Tiger Bandit.” During the robberies, the suspect demands cash in various denominations. Investigators believe there is a possibility that the Tiger Bandit may actually be two men working together, but entering banks separately, based on the method of operation and similar clothing worn. Various bank surveillance photos are attached
Investigators with multiple agencies are jointly investigating, including the Long Beach Police Department; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Huntington Beach Police Department; the Santa Monica Police Department; the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the suspect known as the “Tiger Bandit” is urged to call 1 888 CANT HIDE (1 888 226-8443) or dial 911. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.orgattention to the LA Sheriff’s Dept.
Additional information about currently wanted bank robbers can be found atwww.labankrobbers.org.
