Bank Holdups Credited to ‘Teller School Bandit’

Police are seeking a man believed to have stolen more than $13,000 from 11 San Diego and Vista banks within the last eight months in what authorities are calling the “Teller School Bandit” robberies.

The most recent robbery occurred at noon Wednesday at the Bank of America branch at 6801 El Cajon Blvd., police spokesman Bill Robinson said. A man wearing a purple Los Angeles Lakers cap, a blue plaid shirt and jeans got away with $924.

Robinson said the robber typically hands a teller a note that reads: “I’ve been to teller school, no tricks. Place money in a small zipper bag. No ones. Have a nice day.” The reference to “teller school” lets the employee know that the bandit will not be fooled if he or she trips an alarm or booby-traps the money bag, Robinson said.

Other times the robber is less cordial. On Wednesday, the man handed the teller a note that read: “I have a gun, give me your 50s and 20s or you won’t go home.” He did not display a weapon, Robinson said.

The most money stolen in a single robbery in the series was $3,123 on July 14 at the California First Bank branch at 4390 University Ave. That is believed to have been the last robbery by the suspect before the Wednesday holdup, Robinson said.

Ten of the banks robbed were in San Diego, and one was in Vista, an American Savings & Loan Assn. at 249 S. Indiana Ave. In that robbery, the man drove away with $1,191.

The smallest amount taken, Robinson said, was $440 from a San Diego Trust & Savings Bank at 4690 63rd St. in San Diego on May 13.

The man has been described as white, about 25, just under 6 feet tall, about 155 pounds, with collar-length, dirty-blond hair and very dirty fingernails.

Robinson said the robber commonly wears sunglasses, a gold stud earring and several gold chains around his neck. Witnesses have seen him flee in an old brown Ford Mustang.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered by police to anyone who can provide information leading to the man’s arrest. The number to call is 235-8477.