Puffy Coat Bandit Wanted for Seven Bank Robberies in Three Counties in Less Than Three Weeks

FBI Los AngelesJanuary 10, 2012

Public Affairs Specialist Laura Eimiller

The FBI and its law enforcement partners are seeking the public’s assistance in order to identify one or more suspects linked to a series of seven bank robberies committed in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino in the past three weeks.

The “Puffy Coat Bandit” was nicknamed based on the ski-style jacket worn during a robbery that occurred on December 20, 2011 in the city of Chino. In subsequent robberies linked to the same series, the bandit wore a similar jacket, but in others, is seen wearing a thick plaid jacket. In all of the robberies, the bandit is seen wearing either a baseball cap or a beanie-style knit hat and does not conceal his facial features. The Puffy Coat Bandit enters the bank, presents a note demanding cash, and has simulated a weapon he indicated is concealed under his jacket, according to witnesses. The robberies have been linked based on modus operandi and witness descriptions, as well as bank surveillance photographs. The FBI is working with police officers and sheriff’s deputies in various cities to identify and apprehend the person/s responsible.

In robberies that occurred on 12/22 and 12/30 of 2011, witnesses described possible getaway vehicles used by the Puffy Coat Bandit, including a gold or copper-colored Ford Taurus and a Black Oldsmobile Alero with a spoiler. Witnesses have also described a male getaway driver in addition to the suspect who enters the bank, and investigators believe it’s possible that two male suspects are involved in the Puffy Coat robbery series. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the suspects seen in bank surveillance photographs may be different individuals with a similar appearance who alternate between robbing the bank and driving the getaway vehicle.

Witnesses have further described the suspect/s inside the bank as a white male, between 6’1” to 6’4” in height with a thin to medium build, and between 30-40 years of age. The bank robberies linked to the Puffy Coat Bandit are listed below:

• 12/20/2011 - US Bank, 1281 Central, Chino
• 12/22/2011 - Premier Services, 102 E. 6th St, Corona
• 12/28/2011 - Mission Oaks, 600 Central Lake, Elsinore
• 12/30/2011 - Union Bank, 601 W. Rt 66, Glendora
• 01/03/2012 - Chase Bank, 11900 South St, Cerritos
• 01/07/2012 - US Bank, 1281 Central, Chino
• 01/09/2012 - Comerica Bank, 12035 Foothill, Rancho Cucamonga

Bank surveillance photographs of the suspects and of a possible suspect vehicle are being released to the media. Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the suspect/s in the above-listed series is urged to contact the FBI or dial 911 immediately. In Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 888 CANT HIDE (888 226-8443).

Photos of additional bank robbery suspects being sought by the FBI and its law enforcement partners in the Southern California area can be found by visiting www.labankrobbers.org.