Downtown bank robbery marks sixth this year in city
First Federal Bank in downtown Santa Monica was robbed on Saturday by a man who federal authorities call the “Both Hands Bandit.”
Shortly before 2 p.m., a black man wearing a light blue fisherman’s hat and sunglasses approached a bank teller with a note that read, “You are being robbed. I want your 100s, 50s and 20s,” according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Bosley.
The FBI said the suspect is responsible for at least a dozen bank robberies in Los Angeles since August, with the most recent on Sept. 12 at the Wells Fargo Bank, 3550 Wilshire Blvd.
Bosley said the suspect uses both hands to hold the note. He doesn’t speak to the teller and produces no weapon.
The FBI didn’t disclose how much money he got away with from the First Federal Bank at 401 Wilshire Blvd.
Saturday’s incident marks the sixth bank robbery in Santa Monica this year.
Santa Monica Police responded to a call at 1:57 p.m. of a bank robbery in progress. When officers arrived, bank employees said the suspect, described as between 20 and 30 years old, six feet tall and thin, left the bank and walked north on Fourth Street, according to SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega.
Officers patrolled the area, but found nothing.
In earlier robberies, witnesses describe the “Both Hands Bandit” as having a “shabby appearance.” However, in recent robberies, witnesses have told FBI officials that he is clean cut.
Bosley said the suspect has had getaway drivers waiting for him after some of the robberies.
The other bank robberies this year in Santa Monica are as follows: ■ Jan. 14 — US Bank, 1401 Wilshire Blvd. ■Feb. 11 — First Federal Bank, 1630 Montana Ave. The bank also was robbed last October. ■Feb. 19 — US Bank, 400 Wilshire Blvd. ■April 11 — US Bank, 2221 Santa Monica Blvd. ■April 17 — Wells Fargo, 2444 Wilshire Blvd.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2003. Read the original PDF.