Tarzana Serial Bank Robbery Suspect Caught In The Act: Police

PASADENA, CA — A shotgun-toting suspect robbed an Pasadena Wells Fargo bank, was caught exiting with a bag containing cash, and is suspected of 10 bank robberies elsewhere in Los Angeles County.

Police and the FBI said they believe they have caught red-handed a robber they had dubbed the ``Dual Valley Bandit." Shownee Shon Smith, 41, of Pasadena is possibly responsible for 10 other bank robberies in Los Angeles County, said Pasadena police Lt. Bill Grisafe.

Officers responded about 3:50 p.m. Saturday to an armed robbery in progress at Wells Fargo, 3701 E. Foothill Blvd., where they arrested the man while he exited the bank, Grisafe said.

Smith had a shotgun and a bag containing money, but no one was injured, said Pasadena police Lt. Javier Aguilar said.

``I am extremely proud of the first responders of the Pasadena Police Department who courageously faced a dangerous situation and were able to quickly take an armed robbery suspect, believe to be responsible for numerous bank robberies throughout Los Angeles County, safely into custody," said Pasadena police Chief Phillip Sanchez.

``I am grateful no one was injured during this incident," Sanchez said.

Smith was arrested at 3:47 p.m. Saturday and booked into the Pasadena Jail at 5:35 p.m. Saturday, where he was being held in lieu of $256,000 bail, according to the Sheriff's Inmate Information Center.

According to the FBI, the banks robbed by the 'Dual Valley Bandit' were:

• U.S. Bank in Burbank on May 15
• Wells Fargo in South Pasadena on May 15
• Chase in North Hollywood on May 27
• Chase in Woodland Hills on May 27
• Citibank in Tarzana on May 27

Police asked anyone with any information regarding the previous robberies to call the FBI's Los Angeles office at (310) 477-6565 or the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.

City News Service