"Beret Bandit" in Custody

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: September 11, 2008
Contact: Press Information Officer Jason Zuhlke
Subject: “Beret Bandit” in Custody After Month-Long Crime Spree

Whittier, CA – The Whittier Police Department has arrested the “Beret Bandit,” after a one month long crime spree where he was suspected of committing at least eight robberies through both LA and Orange Counties. The suspect’s series of robberies began in mid August and concluded today at the Southwestern Federal Credit Union located at 11749 Whittier Blvd. Other locations the Beret Bandit was suspected of robbing included the Washington Mutual in Uptown Whittier, the US Bank on Whittier Bl. and the Washington Mutual in La Mirada to name a few. In most cases the suspect used a demand note to perpetrate the crimes and recently began using taxi cabs to flee the scene. While the exact amount of cash taken in the robberies is unknown, it is estimated at $4,000 - $5,000.