‘B.O. Bandit’ Strikes Bank in Oceanside

A foul-smelling robber known as the “B.O. Bandit” held up an Oceanside bank, extending his string of Southern California robberies to 11 and his haul to more than $11,950, the FBI said.

“One of the characteristics is he seems like maybe a vagrant,” said FBI spokesman Gene Riehl. “Several witnesses said statements to the effect that he smelled like he really needed a bath, he reeked of cigarettes--things like that.”

Police didn’t disclose the amount of money stolen in the latest robbery Wednesday from a Security Pacific National Bank branch. In the 11 robberies since May 16, his largest single haul was about $3,000 from a bank in Rancho Penasquitos.

Witnesses have described the outlaw as a white man in his late 30s or early 40s. He is said to be about 6 feet 3 inches tall with sandy hair and a mustache. He often wears a blue or red baseball cap and jeans.

“He uses a note each time, and the notes say in general, ‘This is a robbery. I have a gun. I want money,’ ” Riehl said.

No weapon was actually seen in the latest robbery.