‘Joe Camel Bandit’ Hits 2 More Banks

A man suspected of robbing nearly a dozen county banks struck again this week, holding up a bank in Santa Ana and another in Laguna Hills, the FBI said Tuesday.

The first robbery occurred Monday about 12:30 p.m. at a First Interstate Bank branch at 2301 S. Main St. in Santa Ana. The second took place at 3:15 p.m. at another First Interstate Bank branch at 24032 El Toro Road in Laguna Hills.

No one was hurt in either robbery, said FBI spokesman Gary Morley. The robber was still at large late Tuesday, he said.

In both cases, the robber was recorded on surveillance cameras as using the same method of operation and wearing the same clothes.

“This guy is a serial robber,” Morley said. “He is suspected in 10 other bank robberies all over Orange County.”

Federal investigators have dubbed him the “Joe Camel Bandit” because he frequently wears a T-shirt with a Camel cigarette ad. He is described as in his mid-30s, 6 feet tall and 160 pounds. He has dark hair, an acne-covered face and usually wears a baseball cap.

The man’s robberies last only a few minutes, the FBI said. He waits his turn in line and then presents a note to the teller that reads: “I have a gun. I am desperate. Put money on the counter.” In most cases, he puts his hand in his jacket pocket so as to appear armed.

Once he snatches money off the counter, he flees on foot. He is not known to work with an accomplice and has stolen in excess of $25,000 during his two-month crime spree.

He is believed to have robbed banks in Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine and Lake Forest. Anybody with information is asked to call the FBI at (714) 542-8825.