‘Bandage Bandit’ Suspect Arrested

A Ventura man thought to be the “Bandage Bandit” who robbed five area banks in the last month--two in the last week--was arrested at his home Thursday, the FBI said.

Raymond Ernest Hilliard II, 29, is suspected of robbing a Glendale Federal Bank branch near the Buenaventura Mall on June 3. FBI agents also believe Hilliard is responsible for robbing three other Ventura County banks and a Carpinteria institution between June 15 and July 8.

Investigators said they will ask a federal grand jury to indict Hilliard in connection with the other four robberies.

Hilliard’s alleged robbery method included wrapping gauze bandages around his forehead, cheeks and chin before each robbery, investigators said. Despite the disguise, which did not cover his face entirely, agents said they were able to arrest Hilliard on the strength of surveillance camera photographs of some of the robberies.

Hilliard is suspected of robbing a Coast Federal Bank in Thousand Oaks on Monday, a Home Savings of America branch in Ventura last Friday, a Carpinteria Bank of America on June 27 and an Oxnard Bank of America branch on June 15.

He appeared before a federal magistrate Thursday and was assigned a public defender, although he did not enter a plea.