The Region : Slaying Suspect Caught

A man suspected of being the “Band-Aid bandit,” who allegedly shot and killed a citizen who attempted to stop him from fleeing a bank holdup two weeks ago, has been arrested, authorities said. Dwight Raymond Meals, 23, of Los Angeles, was booked on suspicion of robbery and murder after his arrest in the 7400 block of Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles police Detective Bruce Meyer said. Meals is also suspected of committing a series of bank robberies since August in the Los Angeles area in which the robber was dubbed the “Band-Aid bandit” because he wore an adhesive bandage on his face as a disguise, Meyer said. He is suspected of killing Daniel Mierswa, 30, of Los Angeles, who pursued a man after the holdup of the Security Pacific National Bank at 6400 Wilshire Blvd. on Dec. 19, Meyer said. Mierswa and an unidentified bank employee chased a suspect as he fled the bank, Meyer said. They caught up with him about two blocks later, and the suspect turned and shot Mierswa.