WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help for information leading to the identification and location of a bank robber who has robbed banks recently in West Hollywood and West Covina. The first bank robbery took place on November 15 at the Bank of America in West Covina at 2901 Eastland Center Dr. while the second occurred on November 28 at the Bank of America in West Hollywood at 8655 Beverly Blvd. 

The "Explosives Threat" Bandit at the West Hollywood robbery (left) and at the West Covina robbery (right). Photos courtesy of LASD.

Law enforcement has dubbed the bank robber the “explosives threat” bandit due to his tendency to leave an improvised explosive device behind at each bank robbery. The suspect is described by witnesses as a white male between 35 and 45 years of age, between 5’10” and 6” in height and between 175 and 190 lbs, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s community advisory. 

A device made up of electronic components and wiring has been brought into and left at the bank by the suspect for each bank robbery. The suspect has claimed to bank employees and customers that someone outside would detonate the device, implying that it contained explosives.  After the West Covina robbery in which the suspect said, “I have a bomb,” a bomb squad from the LASD arrived at the bank to ensure the device was safe. The squad also assisted at the scene of the West Hollywood robbery.

In addition to bomb threats, the suspect has made an oral demand and handed a written note to the teller at each bank robbery. The suspect has demanded up to $20,000 in cash while adding that he had a friend outside monitoring the police frequency who would “press a button” once the suspect placed a phone call to him. Another one of the suspect’s notes indicated “the establishment would not exist” once the friend was contacted.

In order to help with identifying the suspect, bank surveillance photographs have been released to the public. As the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the LASD and West Covina Police Department continue to investigate, anyone with information about the identity or the current location of the explosives threat bandit is strongly encouraged to contact the FBI or dial 911. For Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-888-226-8443. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

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