'Snowboarder Bandit' Strikes Again At Irvine Grocery Store
IRVINE (CBS) — The so-called Snowboarder Bandit struck Wednesday for the tenth time, robbing a U.S. Bank branch in a grocery store in Irvine, according to the FBI.
The robbery occurred around around 1:50 p.m. at the branch in the Pavilions market at 3901 Portola Parkway, said FBI Special Agent Chris Gicking.
The suspect, who earned his nickname because of his youthful appearance and the knit hat and skiing clothes he wears to disguise himself, has switched to wearing a large motorcycle helmet, Gicking said.
Wednesday, he was wearing the motorcycle helmet with black sunglasses underneath, said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.
The suspect was also wearing a buttoned-up black nylon jacket and blue jeans, Eimiller said.
The suspect handed the teller a note that read, "Empty drawer, do not touch alarm. High powered gun, 15 seconds."
The bandit apparently tried to rob a Citibank branch in Irvine Saturday that he had previously held up in January.
The suspect in Wednesday's holdup was described as a white man, 25 to 32 years old, 6 foot 2 inches, thin and weighing about 190 pounds with a light complexion.
The Snowboarder Bandit is suspected in holdups starting December 20, in Laguna Hills; January 9, in Anaheim Hills; January 15, in Irvine; January 28, in Ladera Ranch; January 31, in Corona del Mar; February 1, in Irvine; February 13, in Anaheim Hills; February 21, in Laguna Niguel; March 2, in Irvine; and March 5, in Anaheim Hills, Eimiller said.
Wells Fargo Bank and Schools First Credit Union are each offering a $5,000 reward for an arrest and conviction of the bandit.
