‘Apologetic Bandit’ strikes again: ‘Have a good night man, sorry’
A man suspected in a string of Orange County armed robberies is making a name for himself, not so much for the eight heists he’s suspected of pulling off, but for the polite and apologetic tone he employs.
The man who’s been dubbed the “Apologetic Bandit” struck again at 3:26 a.m. Friday, this time at an Arco gas station in Mission Viejo on Crown Valley Parkway off the 5 Freeway, according to authorities. Armed with a small black handgun, he took an undisclosed amount of cash from the clerk.
“I don’t want to do this to you” the suspect is heard saying in surveillance video footage. Moments before fleeing, he leaves with: “Have a good night man, sorry.”
The man was last seen leaving the gas station on foot. No vehicle was seen, Orange County sheriff’s officials said.
The suspect was described as 5 feet 7 inches, 20 to 22 years old with a small build. He was wearing all dark clothing, including a black mask, glasses and black Converse-style shoes.
The man is now suspected in eight robberies in south Orange County since 2012, with two of those occurring this week. No injuries were reported in any of the robberies, officials said.
In each of the previous robberies, all at gas stations or convenience stores, he was reportedly polite and apologetic to the clerks.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect was asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227, or at occrimestoppers.org.
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Twitter: @AdolfoFlores3
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