For Immediate Release: July 20, 2007

FBI AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNVEIL NEW WEBSITE TO COMBAT BANK ROBBERIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

An Internet site dedicated to the identification and apprehension of bank bandits has become fully operational, J. Stephen Tidwell, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, announced today.

The website -- www.labankrobbers.org -- was created by Special Agent Steve May, the FBI’s Bank Robbery Coordinator in Los Angeles. As the Bank Robbery Coordinator, Special Agent May reviews bank surveillance photographs and other useful evidence from every bank robbery that occurs in the seven-county territory covered by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. Those counties are Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. When a photograph is clear enough to indicate the identity of the bank robber, Special Agent May adds the photo to the website so that it can be shared with local law enforcement agencies in those counties, all of whom investigate bank robberies in partnership with the FBI.

By visiting the site, users can view photos of current bank bandits being sought by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, many of whom are wanted for robberies in multiple counties. The website contains photos of recent captures, reward information and a list of the FBI’s law enforcement partners. The website also links users to other regional websites that concern bank robbers. In addition, viewers have the ability to submit a tip at www.labankrobbers.org. Tips may be submitted anonymously and all information is treated with confidentiality.

“Law enforcement agencies in Southern California have a new tool at their disposal in identifying bank robbers,” said J. Stephen Tidwell, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. “Additionally, the media and the general public viewing the website can play a key role in solving cases by providing identifying data to law enforcement and, in some cases, receive a cash reward.”

Many serial bandits are given nicknames. These monikers are a way to keep track of bank bandits and to clear up confusion among the many police departments and FBI Agents investigating robberies. Media coverage of nicknamed bank bandits has lead to the identification of multiple bank robbery subjects.

So far, this year, there have been 203 robberies in the seven-county area. Twenty-nine of those incidents have been takeover-style bank robberies where the bandits hold bank employees and customers hostage during the commission of the robbery. The number of bank robberies this year reflect a decrease compared to the same time last year, when there had been approximately 250 bank robberies, 59 of which were takeover robberies. The FBI attributes the decrease in robberies to stronger relationships among law enforcement agencies, tougher federal sentences that send bank robbers to prison for longer periods of time, enhanced security measures implemented by the banks, and the publication of suspect photos by the media, which had led to faster identification of bank robbers.

The bank robbery statistics that reflect a decrease for 2007 compared to 2006 are consistent with the fact that bank robberies have declined steadily in Southern California since they peaked in the early 1990s. Last year, there were 470 bank robberies in the seven counties served by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, a figure that is approximately one-fifth the number of bank robberies that took place 1992, when there were more than 2,600 bank robberies.

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Recent Captures:

NAPKIN BANDIT:

David Enrique Parra, 24, was identified as the Napkin Bandit. Parra was arrested on 06/26/07 by LASD Sheriff’s deputies and was wanted in connection with bank robberies in areas including Riverside, West Covina and Santa Ana.

LANDSCAPE BANDIT:

Michael Varela, 37, of Montclair, CA, was identified as the “Landscape Bandit,” and was arrested earlier this week by officers with the Fullerton Police Department. Varela was in federal court Thursday, 7/19/07, and charged with bank robbery. The Landscape Bandit was so called since witnesses said that he appeared as though had been working with dirt; he was wanted for robbing multiple banks, primarily in Orange County.

GOOFY HAT BANDIT:

Last month, William Vance Turner, known as the "Goofy Hat Bandit" and wanted in connection with 39 bank robberies in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties since October 2005, was arrested by FBI Agents without incident. Turner, 56, was on probation after serving time for a bank robbery spree in the early 1990s. During that time, Turner was known as the "Pershing Square Bandit" and was suspected in thirty bank robberies in and around Los Angeles.

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES BANDIT:

Last month, Alan Freibaum, 55, was identified as the “Irreconcilable Differences” Bandit. Freibaum was apprehended by the Glendale Police Department after being linked to seventeen bank robberies in Los Angeles and other counties. He was named after discussing his marital woes with the victim teller.

BRUNETTE BANDIT:

Dalia Lizzette Jiminez was identified two weeks ago as the Brunette Bandit, a female bank robber wanted in connection with five armed bank robberies. Jiminez was indicted today, 7/20/07, on four counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted bank robbery. Jiminez was apprehended after being recognized by a bank teller and by Wells Fargo security guards and a retired Sheriff’s deputy; she was then arrested by officers with the Redondo Beach PD.

MOST WANTED BANDITS:

Wig & Vault Bandits:

Armed takeover group linked to robberies in Los Angeles County,

most recently in Glendale.

Earned name since one bandit wears wig and hit vault.

Description: Two black males, 27 – 36 years old; one wears a wig with ball cap; both armed with guns.

Banana Bandit: Wanted in connection with seven armed bank robberies in OC. Earned name when he ate a banana while robbing first bank.

Description: White male with tan skin, 30 - 35 years old, 6”1’, 200 lbs.

Armada Bandit: Wanted in connection with six bank robberies in Orange County. Earned name by always wearing United States Navy hat with crested eagle.

Description: White male, 50 years old, 6’, 180 lbs.

Magoo Bandit: Wanted in connection with multiple bank robberies in Ventura County.

Earned name by wearing very large glasses

Description: Hispanic/White male with glasses, ball cap and goatee.

Paparazzi Bandit: Wanted in connection with multiple banks in Los Angeles.

Earned name by taking photos of tellers while robbing banks.

Description: 5;8” – 6’, 135 lbs.

Asian Merchant Bag Bandit: Wanted in connection with over a dozen bank robberies in the in the San Gabriel Valley.

Earned name by carrying blue merchant bag to abscond with cash.

Description: Asian male, 5’5” – 5’8”, 145 lbs., 25-35 years old.

Wrong Slip Bandit: Wanted in connection with bank robberies in San Gabriel Valley.

Earned name by telling victims he did not have right deposit slip.

Description: Hispanic male, 5;7” to 5;8”, 190 lbs.

Big Bills Bandit: Wanted in connection with multiple bank robberies in Los Angeles and the Valley.

Earned his name by asking for the “Big Bills.”

Description: Black male, 5’7” – 5’10”, 180 – 190 lbs., 35 to 40 years old.