A man believed to be responsible for 68 armed robberies in Los Angeles County dating back to October of last year has been arrested, police announced Wednesday.
The robber was dubbed the “Blue Cloth Bandit” because he would use a blue cloth to cover the gun brandished in robberies at gas stations, 7-Elevens and Walmarts, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The robberies occurred in the city of L.A. as well as outside of the LAPD’s jurisdictions.
Police on Wednesday released video of one of the robberies.
“When the suspect struck again on Friday, September 23rd, detectives formulated a plan, initiated surveillance and ultimately served a search and arrest warrant,” police detailed in a news release.
Charles Chukwuma Onwuemelie, 29, of Quartz Hill, was eventually arrested at his home where evidence, including a gun, linking him to the crimes was recovered, police said.
Onwuemelie is charged with 16 counts of robbery for the incidents that occurred in the city of Los Angeles, police said.
Additional charges are likely for the robberies that occurred within the county’s jurisdiction.
Anyone with additional information about Onwuemelie is asked to call Detective Esther Myape at 213-486-6840.