'The Hills Bandit' Robs South County Bank

Two serial bank robbers struck Orange County today, including one in Laguna Niguel, authorities said.

The Hills Bandit robbed his eighth bank and attempted but failed to pull off another heist this afternoon in La Jolla, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

The Cal Bear bandit is now suspected in three holdups, including one today at a Bank of America branch in Costa Mesa.

The Hills Bandit robbed the U.S. Bank branch at 30000 Town Center Drive in Laguna Niguel at about 3:15 p.m., according to Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock. He handed a demand note to a clerk that indicated he had a gun but he did not show a weapon as he has in past stickups, according to Hallock.

Earlier today, at 1:30 p.m., the Hills Bandit attempted, but failed, to rob a Union Bank branch at 7807 Girard Ave., in La Jolla, according to Eimiller.

The Hills Bandit was seen speeding away from the Laguna Niguel heist in a silver sedan with a California license plate with “22” as its last two digits, Hallock said.

Before today, the most recent heist allegedly involving the Hills Bandit took place on Aug. 25 at a California Bank and Trust in San Diego, according to Eimiller.

The same suspect is believed to have robbed a Wells Fargo branch in Laguna Niguel on Aug. 22 at about 12:30 p.m. at 30160 Town Center Drive.

The Hills Bandit is believed to have robbed a U.S. Bank branch in Carlsbad on Aug. 5. He is suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo branch May 16 in Laguna Hills, a Citibank in Laguna Hills on July 16 and another Citibank, in Lake Forest, on July 25, according to the FBI.

He is also a suspect in a holdup on Aug. 8 in Laguna Woods, according to Eimiller.

He is described as a white man, about five-feet-seven inches tall, between 45 and 50 years old, weighing about 190 pounds.

The Cal Bear Bandit earned the nickname because he was seen wearing the university’s logo on a cap he wore during the stickup, according to FBI Special Agent Chris Gicking.

At about 9:15 a.m. today, the Cal Bear Bandit is suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch in a Vons grocery store at 2701 Harbor Blvd. The suspect gave a teller a note, threatening that he had a gun and explosive device but did not show a weapon, according to Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Scott.

The same suspect robbed a Chase Bank branch at 31972 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano on Aug. 20 and a Farmers and Merchants branch at 1220 E. Katella Ave. in Orange on Sept. 3, according to Eimiller.

The Cal Bear Bandit is described as a white man who is about five-feet-eight inches tall, with a medium build who was wearing baggy clothes. He is believed to be in his 20s.

--City News Service

PHOTO The Hills Bandit at Laguna Niguel. Courtesy the FBI.