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View Winners → ‘Dual Valley Bandit’ Now in Federal Custody
News Jun 11, 2017
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Shownee Smith, 41 years, a.k.a. the “Dual Valley Bandit.” – Courtesy photo / FBI
Suspect Shownee Smith is known for his FX work on Spider Man Movies
By Terry Miller
On Saturday afternoon, Pasadena cops were alerted to a 211- an armed robbery at a Wells Fargo bank. It was like something right out of a movie. Pasadena police and detectives swooped into action to capture the suspect with a bag full of loot.
Little did they know they were dealing with a ‘super-hero’ FX man who has worked on at least three Spiderman movies in recent years?
Apparently, however, the suspect’s powers were nowhere near what Spider-Man’s creators gave him, including the ability to cling to most surfaces, shoot spider-webs using wrist-mounted devices of his own invention, which he calls “web-shooters”, and react to danger quickly with his “spider-sense,” enabling him to combat his foes and escape danger.
On a otherwise quite Saturday afternoon, Pasadena Police officers responded to the armed robbery call at Wells Fargo Bank, 3701 E. Foothill Blvd. The robbery was already in progress when Pasadena Police officers arrived and arrested the suspect, Shownee Smith, 41 years, Pasadena Resident, without incident as walked out of the bank .
Smith was in possession of a rifle, a bag containing U.S. Currency, and other items of evidence. Pasadena Police detectives and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are currently investigating the robbery. Smith is believed to be the “Dual Valley Bandit” and maybe responsible for ten other bank robberies in Los Angeles County.
Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said, “I am extremely proud of the first responders of the Pasadena Police Department who courageously faced a dangerous situation and were able to quickly take an armed robbery suspect, believed to be responsible for numerous bank robberies throughout Los Angeles County, safely into custody. I am grateful no one was injured during this incident.”
Laura Eimiller, FBI Media spokeswoman in Los Angeles said “The suspect arrested by PPD Saturday night is believed to be the suspect linked to the Dual Valley robbery series and he is facing federal charges. He is currently in state custody and until/unless he is transferred to federal custody, we are restricted from further comment.”
The case will ultimately been turned over to the FBI.
Many Spiderman fans seem unsure as to whether the character is a helpful vigilante or a clever criminal. In this case, the Spider Man FX guy almost got away with one of the biggest series of bank robberies in California.
Recently, Laura Eimiller of the Los Angeles Field office of the FBI informed Pasadena Independent that Smith is in federal custody and awaiting an initial appearance in federal court.
Anyone with information regarding these robberies is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles FBI Office at (310) 477-6565 or the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241. You may also report information anonymously at LA Crime Stoppers.
