Watch CBS News

FBI Identifies Scanner Bandit Suspect

ORANGE (CBS) — Authorities say they've identified the so-called Scanner Bandit as a 47-year-old California man.

The FBI says Garry Allen Reeder has robbed bank branches in Torrance, Whittier and Norwalk since Dec. 15. Reeder is also suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch in Orange on Tuesday.

The robber was named the Scanner Bandit because of the police scanner he totes.

Reeder is white, 5 feet 7 inches and 180 pounds with blue eyes and may have a beard, according to the FBI.

In the most recent stickup, the robber walked into the Bank of America branch Wednesday afternoon and asked an employee about opening an account, Orange police Sgt. Dan Adams said.

The suspect showed the employee a black folder that looked like a day planner with a bomb inside, Adams said.

The device, which was left behind, did not explode.

The Scanner Bandit is also suspected of holding up a Bank of America branch in Torrance Dec. 21, a U.S. Bank branch in Whittier Dec. 18, and a U.S. Bank branch in Norwalk Dec. 15.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.