Edhat Staff
Update by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office
September 8, 2017
An unidentified bank robbery suspect nicknamed “The Seasoned Bandit,” is being sought by the FBI and law enforcement partners in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties in connection with at least 9 bank robberies since April 2017.
The suspect, further described as a white male in his 50s or 60s, wears casual clothing, a hat and sunglasses, and can be seen in bank surveillance photographs being distributed to the press. The moniker “Seasoned Bandit” was assigned based on the bandit’s suspected age and grey-white hair.
During the robberies, the Seasoned Bandit passes a note in which he demands cash and threatens a gun if the victim teller does not comply with his demands.
The banks linked to the Seasoned Bandit are listed below:
- Montecito Bank & Trust 4/27/17 Carpinteria
- Union Bank 05/24/17 Carpinteria
- Wells Fargo 6/12/17 Newhall
- Chase Bank 6/27/17 Newhall
- Golden 1 07/07/17 Goleta
- Logix FCU 07/25/17 Valencia
- California Credit Union 08/10/17 Valencia
- Wescom Credit Union 08/21/17 Stevenson Ranch
- Coast Hills Credit Union 9/6/17 Santa Maria
The investigation of the Seasoned Bandit is being conducted by law enforcement partners with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Santa Maria Police Department; and the FBI.
Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the Seasoned Bandit is urged to contact the law enforcement agencies investigating this case or dial 911. In Los Angeles the FBI may be reached 24 hours a day at 310 477-6565.
For information about additional bank robbers being sought in the Los Angeles region, please visit www.labankrobbers.org.
Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office
September 7, 2017
On September 6, 2017 at about 5:00pm a male robbed the Coast Hills Credit Union at 2264 S Bradley Rd. The male showed the teller a note demanding money and indicated he had a weapon. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 50’s or 60’s wearing a brown cap with the word “Cali”, sunglasses, a light colored shirt with chest pockets, and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Maria Police Department. An anonymous tip may also be submitted on the SMPD website.
