Reward of $20,000 Offered in “Geezer Bandit” Investigation

Latest Robbery in San Luis Obispo, California, Friday, December 2, 2011

The San Diego and Los Angeles FBI Offices, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, San Luis Obispo Police Department, and several other local law enforcement agencies are seeking the public’s assistance to identify and arrest the individual dubbed the “Geezer Bandit.”

The “Geezer Bandit” is believed to be responsible for 16 bank robberies dating back to August 28, 2009. The first robbery in this series was in Santee, California (San Diego County) and the latest on Friday, December 2, 2011, in San Luis Obispo, California. Eleven of the 16 robberies in the “Geezer Bandit” series have occurred in San Diego County with the most recent San Diego robbery on Friday, September 30, 2011. On Friday, December 2, 2011, at approximately 5:39 p.m., the Bank of America, located at 1105 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, California, was robbed by an unknown male believed to be the “Geezer Bandit.”

During this robbery, the robber approached the victim teller carrying what has been described as a day planner. The day planner was tucked beneath his right arm. The robber held documents in his hand that made it appear that he was there to conduct a legitimate banking transaction. Once the robber reached the teller counter, he placed the day planner on the teller counter. He passed a demand note and made a verbal demand for cash. At the same time the robber opened the day planner and pulled out a revolver handgun and white plastic bag. The robber pointed the revolver at the teller and threatened to shoot her, if she did not comply with his demands. The teller complied with his demands and provided money that was placed into the white plastic bag. The plastic bag and revolver were placed inside of the day planner.

After exiting the bank, a security dye-pack received by the robber exploded, causing the robber to drop the day planner. Smoke and red dye from the dye-pack covered the robber and money. Surveillance video shows the robber drop to his knees in an attempt to gather some of the money and his belongings. After gathering what he could, the robber sprinted away across the bank parking lot. Witnesses reported seeing a white BMW, possibly a 5-Series, flee the area of the bank robbery. It is not known if this vehicle is connected to the robbery.

During this robbery, the robber was wearing a white shirt with a black necktie, black pants, glasses, and a blue baseball cap. The robber was described as someone who appeared to be an elderly white male, but may have been wearing a synthetic-like mask and gloves to conceal his true physical characteristics. Evidence collected at the scene is being processed by the FBI Laboratory at Quantico, Virginia.

Witnesses from previous robberies have described the “Geezer Bandit” as follows:

■Sex: Male

■Race: White
■Age: Approximately 60-70 years old
■Height: Approximately 5’10” to 6’0” tall
■Weight: Approximately 190 to 200 lbs.
■Build: Average
■Clothing: Navy-colored blazer, navy or black-colored baseball cap, dark-colored pants, and possibly wearing a mask and rubber gloves
■Weapon: Revolver handgun that he carries in his left hand
■Miscellaneous: Possibly wearing a synthetic mask and gloves to hide true physical characteristics

Anyone with information concerning the “Geezer Bandit” is asked to contact their local FBI Office or local law enforcement agency: FBI San Diego (858) 565-1255 or FBI Los Angeles (310) 477-6565.

FBI Media Contacts:

FBI Los Angeles—Public Affairs Specialist, Laura Eimiller, (310) 996-3343
FBI San Diego—Special Agent, Darrell Foxworth, (858) 499-7810

The “Geezer Bandit” should be considered armed and dangerous.