Tri-Cities bandit still on the loose

FBI investigators are trying to identify a man who they say has robbed three banks in Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena within a month.

Dubbed the “Tri-Cities” bandit, officials say they don’t know the man’s motive for targeting the three cities in a string of robberies that have yielded thousands of dollars in cash, but he could live in the area.

The bandit has been linked to the robberies at Citibank, 360 E. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, about 11:45 a.m. on June 13; Wells Fargo, 82 S. Lake Ave. in Pasadena, at about 1:55 p.m. on July 19; and at Wells Fargo, 535 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, on July 20 at about 5:24 p.m., according to the FBI.
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FOR THE RECORD: The dates for the Burbank and Pasadena robberies in a previous version of this story were incorrect.

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In each robbery, he approached the teller and passed a demand note requesting money in large denominations, FBI officials said.

While he never displayed a weapon, FBI spokeswoman Lourdes Arocho said “we always assume he is dangerous.”

No one was physically hurt in the robberies, she added.

In the Glendale robbery, the man passed a ripped note written in faded, black ink that said “Give me all your 100s and 50s,” Glendale police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

The bandit was wearing a light blue buttoned-down shirt and dark pants in that robbery, he added.

Calls to Burbank and Pasadena police officials were not returned Monday.

Lorenz said the bandit has not been linked to other recent robberies in Glendale.

FBI officials described the “Tri-Cities” bandit as a Latino man, about 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 155 160 pounds. He had short, dark hair and goatee-style facial hair.

He doesn’t wear sunglasses and often dresses casually, FBI officials said.

Anyone with information on the suspect was asked to call (888) 226-8443, or 911.