Police Shoot Suspect in Bank Holdups

A robbery suspect who authorities believe is the “Newspaper Bandit,” responsible for 16 bank robberies mostly on the Westside and in Beverly Hills, was shot and wounded by Los Angeles police Monday after he tried to evade capture following a holdup at a downtown bank.

LAPD officers shot Forrest Jackson, 52, as he fled while carrying a replica gun and a 14-inch samurai-style sword, Lt. Paul Vernon said. Jackson was hospitalized in stable condition, Vernon said.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said Jackson is believed to be the Newspaper Bandit, named because the robber carried a newspaper in early holdups. He is believed to be responsible for 16 bank robberies since October 2004, she said. But on Monday, Jackson had yet to be arrested for any of the crimes because of his injuries, police said.

Jackson was shot by officers at 11th Street and Broadway after allegedly robbing a nearby Citibank branch at 9th and Spring streets about 2:15 p.m.

The bank’s security guards on the street recognized Jackson and pursued him, Vernon said. The guards alerted the Los Angeles Police Department, which joined the chase.

Officers tried to stop Jackson, who attempted to evade capture before being shot, Vernon said. A large amount of cash, along with the replica handgun and the sword, were taken from him by police, Vernon said.