‘Fanny Pack Bandit’ believed to have robbed two SM banks
BRENTWOOD — A suspect believed to be the serial bank robber known as the “Fanny Pack Bandit” was apprehended by FBI agents on Saturday as he walked past them during lunch.
Peter Soren Walsky, 45, was arrested on Saturday for a bank robbery that officials say he committed at a Bank of America on San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood. Walsky is believed by officials to be responsible for 10 bank robberies, including two in Santa Monica.
Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman, said Walsky has been charged for Saturday’s robbery, but not for the numerous other bank robberies he is suspected to have committed. Once the additional charges are filed, if convicted, he could face several years in prison.
Walsky is suspected to be the man officials have deemed the Fanny Pack Bandit, named for the pouch the suspect wore during robberies.
Walsky was spotted Saturday by two FBI agents, who, while eating lunch, noticed a man in a T-shirt and exercise shorts walking eastbound on South Westgate Avenue. He was carrying what appeared to be a bank-deposit money bag that was emanating red smoke.
The agents left the restaurant to confront the suspect. After realizing the smoke had a pepper-spray base, they determined a bank dye-pack had been activated. After a brief struggle, the suspect was taken into custody near the intersection of Chenault Street.
The agents then contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to take custody of Walsky for the remainder of the weekend. Walsky is now being held at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center and was expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Walsky is believed by officials to have robbed 10 banks, beginning Nov. 13, 2004. They include seven in Los Angeles, one in Manhattan Beach and two in Santa Monica.
Eimiller said the Santa Monica robberies, like the one that occurred on Saturday in Brentwood, were initiated when the suspect passed a note to the tellers in which he demanded money.
Walsky is believed to have robbed the US Bank at 3302 Pico Blvd. on March 28, as well as the Bank of America at 287 26th St. on Feb. 14.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 7, 2005. Read the original PDF.