Dennis Romero
On Black Friday, while you were out seeking deep discounts, two robbers got five-finger discounts at local banks.
Yeah, they allegedly robbed them.
The FBI over the long holiday weekend said that two Westside banks were hit by “separate suspects” on Nov. 28. In one case the suspect wore a surgical mask.
Authorities did not give any explicit indication that the heists might be related. Both alleged robbers were caught on security video (see stills, below), and this week the bureau was asking for your help to track them down.
]
The first stick-up was reported on Friday morning at the Citbank at Wilshire and La Cienega boulevards in Beverly Hills, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller:
The unidentified suspect passed a note demanding cash and which threatened an explosive device. The suspect was described as a white male with a large build and as being very pale. The suspect was wearing a New England Patriots ball cap, according to witnesses, and was wearing a surgical mask on his face. Witnesses also described the suspect as having a clear bandage on his arm, similar to one that would be affixed after having one's blood drawn.
Was that bandage a decoy, or a clue?
Credit: FBI
That suspect was described as a backpack-carrying 55-year-old who measured 6 feet and weighed about 230 pounds.
The second robbery reportedly took place not long afterward at Brentwood's One West Bank at 12401 Wilshire Blvd. Says Eimiller:
The suspect brandished a handgun and pointed it at several victims during the robbery. The suspect was further described as a white male with pock-marked cheeks, approximately 45 years old; 6 feet tall and between 180-190 lbs.
Credit: FBI
Know who either of these guys might be? Call the FBI at 310-477-6565.
Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow L.A. Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.