For Immediate Release: July 15, 2008

PUBLIC’S HELP SOUGHT IN IDENTIFYING TWO MEN WANTED FOR MULTIPLE BANK ROBBERIES IN LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTIES

The FBI and multiple police departments are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two individuals believed to be responsible for a series of bank robberies in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. The men are known to law enforcement as the Backpack Bomber Bandits since both have been seen wearing backpacks and both threaten a bomb. Though the two bandits enter separate banks alone, they have been linked based on their modus operandi, as well as the fact that they have been seen with identical apparel. The bandits make verbal demands for cash and carry either a backpack or a black gym bag. The white male has been seen with a handgun in his waistband and both men have threatened a bomb. 6/2/08 Union Bank 2001 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica (Black Male) 6/2/08 Washington Mutual 13001 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne (Black Male) 6/12/08 Washington Mutual 101 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim (Black Male) 6/18/08 Washington Mutual 13001 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne (White male) 7/1/08 Washington Mutual 14011 Beach Blvd. Westminster (White male) 7/7/08 Washington Mutual 18975 Brookhurst Street Fountain Valley (Black Male) 7/9/08 Washington Mutual 400 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica (White Male) Bank surveillance photographs are being made available in hopes that the Backpack Bomber Bandits might be identified. The subjects are described as follows: The white male is described as 6’ – 170 lbs. and in his late 40s with prescription glasses and silver wedding band. The black male is described as 6’3” – 180 to 200 lbs. and in his early 40s with a moustache. Anyone with information as to the identity or the whereabouts of the men photographed at the banks is urged to contact the FBI 24 hours a day at 1 888 CAN’T HIDE or 310 477-6565. Information will be afforded confidentiality and anonymity can be guaranteed. Reward money is also available. MEDIA CONTACT: FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343