Serial Bank Robber Wanted In SoCal Hits Banks In NorCal: FBI

PASADENA, CA — The bank robber who has been terrorizing the Southern California may have struck again — this time in Northern California. Dubbed the "Faux Badge Bandit" because he may be impersonating a police officer by wearing a seven-point badge on his hip, he's robbed banks across Los Angeles County.

Now federal investigators believe the same bandit robbed a bank in Danville late Thursday morning and may have also tried to rob a bank in San Ramon the same day.

The man in Thursday's Danville robbery is in his 40s or 50s and has acne scars on his face. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs between 260 and 270 pounds. He was wearing tan cargo pants, a salmon polo shirt and a white hat with the American flag on it at the time of the robbery, police said.

"We are working with San Ramon Police and the FBI, as we believe he may be the same person who has committed robberies in the South Bay, as well as the Southern California and Sacramento areas," Danville Police Chief Allan Shields told Patch.

Police describe the suspect in the LA area robberies as a white, 6 feet tall man, weighing 230 pounds and 40-50 years old.

Witnesses to some of the LA County robberies reported the suspect wore the badge on his hip along with a shoulder holster, and he threatened to shoot bank employees, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

"A handgun has been brandished during the robberies and can also be seen inside the holster," Eimiller said, adding that investigators believe the bandit "may be armed with multiple weapons. The suspect has threatened victim tellers that he would shoot co-workers if the victim did not comply with his demands."

Authorities are seeking tips from the public that could help them identify the robber of at least four banks in Los Angeles County since May 31. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

The robberies occurred on May 31 at a Wells Fargo branch at 1487 Foothill Blvd. in La Verne, June 14 at a U.S. Bank branch at 2355 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena and the same day at a Chase Bank at 805 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont and on June 15 at a Wells Fargo branch at 26900 Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita.

Anyone with information that could help investigators track him down was urged to call 911 or the FBI at (310) 477-6565.

City News Service and Patch Editor Autumn Johnson contributed to this report; Photos courtesy of the FBI