Police say a man with a history of alleged bank robberies hit a Bank of the West Tuesday at Valley View Boulevard and Imperial Highway in La Mirada. He's been dubbed the “Bubble Wrap Bandit.”

So does he wrap his face in bubble wrap to disguise himself or something? Or perhaps he nervously crushes bubble wrap while awaiting his cash? (We can attest that this is a good, drug-free tool for dealing with anxiety.) That would be cool. But no.

He got his nickname because he was carrying an envelope lined with bubble wrap during at least one of the crimes. That is both totally lame and not very helpful. The point of a nickname is to help people identify the alleged perpetrator, and it seems unlikely this guy is going to be carrying around that bubble wrap lined envelope anymore.

This is reminiscent of the recent “Balding Bandit” who had a surprisingly decent head of hair .

The suspect is described as Hispanic or Samoan, 35-40 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches and 220 pounds, and he's been seen driving away in a red car.

Police say he robbed another bank in South Gate on July 22, and banks in Bell Gardens on June 14 and on Nov. 25 of last year.

If you see anyone suspicious and in possession of bubble wrap, call Detective Manuel Flores, 562-902-2976.

-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us.

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