Public's Help Sought In Identifying 'Midnight Bandit' Suspected In 58 SoCal Robberies
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Monday sought the public's help in identifying a suspect who has committed at least 58 robberies across the Southland.
The "Midnight Bandit" has targeted gas stations and convenience stores throughout the Southland since April 2012. During the robberies, a single clerk is held up at gunpoint typically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
Detectives initially released information about the robberies in 2012, but they recently obtained new information — including pictures and surveillance video — that they hope will help them identify the suspect.
On the morning of March 14, the suspect was captured on video in Bell, "both before and after an armed robbery, driving a silver/gray 2000 to 2004 Jaguar S type four-door sedan," spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said.
The suspect has been known to commit six robberies a month across numerous Southland jurisdictions, including: Anaheim, Bell, Buena Park, Burbank, Culver City, Garden Grove, Glendale, Huntington Park, La Palma, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Monterey Park, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, South Gate and Torrance.
He is considered armed and dangerous and is described as a black man, 25 to 30 years old, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 200 pounds, officials said.
Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau at (562) 946-7893 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).