SANTA MONICA : Suspected ‘Pillowcase Bandits’ Seized at Bank
Three men suspected of being the “pillowcase bandits” were arrested outside a bank Monday, allegedly preparing for their latest heist.
The robbers are suspected of pulling off at least six bank robberies in the Los Angeles area in the past three months. The trio had been the target of Los Angeles police surveillance since June 16, when someone tipped off the FBI. The arrests were made by the LAPD’s Special Investigation Section, which has been criticized for observing crimes first and making arrests later. In the latest case, authorities moved in before the bank was robbed.
Booked on suspicion of bank robbery were Robert Boyer, 25; Charles Brown, 28, and George Powe, 32. They were being held at Santa Monica police headquarters.
Police recovered a toy plastic pistol and a loaded .380 semiautomatic pistol from a stolen car being used by the suspects, Detective Jim Grayson said. The robbers got their nickname because they carried away their loot in pillowcases.
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