Suspected ‘Old Cowboy Bandit’ Pleads Not Guilty

VAN NUYS — A man police dubbed the “old cowboy bandit,” who was sought in a string of armed robberies before he was captured after a wild pursuit in the East Valley last January, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two dozen felony charges.

Dale Sullivan, 46, of Northridge was arraigned on charges that included armed robbery, attempted robbery on a bank and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

His case is scheduled to come to trial April 17 at Van Nuys Superior Court.

Police believe Sullivan is responsible for robbing more than a dozen small businesses at knifepoint and gunpoint in the West Valley.

Authorities said Sullivan also was the man who led police on a car chase through the streets of Arleta and Pacoima, which ended when police rammed the stolen vehicle he was driving, pushing it into a utility pole.

Four officers were injured taking Sullivan into custody. One officer fired a round during the incident.

Afterward, police said they recovered a starter’s pistol, a cowboy hat and leather jacket from the Sullivan’s car. The apparel matched physical characteristics supplied by robbery victims.