HUNTINGTON BEACH : Police Arrest Suspect in 21 Bank Robberies

A man suspected of robbing as many as 21 banks in Southern California since late May was being held without bail Wednesday in Huntington Beach City Jail.

The suspect, identified as Jeffrey Anthony Whipple, 29, address unknown, was arrested Tuesday in Cerritos on charges of armed robbery and parole violation.

Police said a man who wore long hair in a ponytail and was dubbed the Ponytail Bandit was wanted in connection with the robbery of a Union Bank branch at 17122 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach on July 31.

Huntington Beach police investigators were in Bellflower on Tuesday, checking motels for the suspect’s vehicle, which had been described as a small blue Dodge pickup with a white camper shell, Lt. Ed McErlain said.

Shortly before 7 p.m., officers saw a man on a motorcycle approaching a motel on Artesia Boulevard, McErlain said.

The man, who matched a description of the Ponytail Bandit, parked the motorcycle next to a pickup truck. He entered a motel room briefly, then drove away on the motorcycle.

With the help of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, the suspect was stopped on the San Gabriel River Freeway in Cerritos and taken into custody without incident.

McErlain said the suspect is believed responsible for bank robberies from Ventura to Riverside, beginning in the latter part of May.

The robber never displayed a gun but occasionally made reference to having a weapon, McErlain said.