Well-Dressed Bandit Arrested; Suspect in 10 Bank Robberies

A man suspected of committing 10 San Diego-area bank robberies —and dressing up for the occasions—was arrested on Wednesday, authorities reported.

Anthony Pernelle Burgess, 30, was taken into custody in the 5500 block of Friars Road in Mission Valley about 6:45 a.m., according to the FBI.

Burgess allegedly is responsible for a 16-month spree of heists committed by a thief nicknamed the "Well-Dressed Bandit'' by investigators due to his tendency to wear a dark suit, leather jacket or scarf during his crimes.

The fashion-conscious serial robber is believed responsible for holdups at:

• Chase Bank, 9450 Scranton Road, San Diego, Sept. 23;

• Mission Federal Credit Union, 953 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, Aug. 2;
• Point Loma Credit Union, 10413 Craftsman Way, San Diego, June 17;
• Mission Federal Credit Union, 953 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, April 6;
• Point Loma Credit Union, 10413 Craftsman Way, San Diego, Feb. 11;
• Bank of America, 9460 Scranton Road, San Diego, Jan. 20;
• Chase Bank, 9450 Scranton Road, San Diego, Nov. 5;
• Chase Bank, 9450 Scranton Road, San Diego, Sept. 7, 2010;
• Wells Fargo Bank, 3445 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, July 15, 2010; and
• Wells Fargo Bank, 1510 W. Valley Parkway, Escondido, May 18, 2010.

During the most recent robbery, the thief tried to simulate a concealed gun by holding his hand stiffly in his jacket pocket, according to the FBI.

A witness saw him fleeing the scene of that crime in a black Lexus or Mercedes-Benz and was able to take down a partial license plate number.

Burgess was being held without bail in county jail and was expected to make his initial appearance before a federal judge on Friday.

-City News Service