FBI needs the public’s help to identify ‘Green Gaiter Bandit’
Authorities Wednesday sought the public’s help to identify the man known as the “Green Gaiter Bandit” who is wanted in a series of at least nine bank robberies and five attempted robberies in Orange and Los Angeles counties.
The first in the series of robberies occurred Oct. 11 at the Union Bank branch at 911 N. Harbor Blvd. near Hillcrest Park in Fullerton, where the man fled before he could obtain money, according to FBI officials.
The robberies also took place in Huntington Beach, Torrance, Gardena, Costa Mesa and Mission Viejo. The “Green Gaiter Bandit” is most recently suspected in an attempted robbery that occurred Friday at a Wells Fargo branch at 1396 N. Rose Drive in Placentia.
During the robberies, the man enters the bank and either passes a note or makes a verbal command to a teller demanding money, fleeing on foot once he obtains it or after a failed attempt, according to the FBI.
The suspect is described as a white man between 50 and 60 years old who is about 6 feet tall, with a medium to heavy build and gray hair. He is known to wear a tan jacket and green neck gaiter during some robberies, but has also worn other workwear-style clothing and a variety of neck gaiters.
Anyone with information on the robberies was asked to call the FBI at 310-477-6565.