A Long Beach Bank of America that was targeted in an attempted robbery on Wednesday was the latest victim of the “Gateway Bandit,” the FBI believes.
If the FBI is correct, the bank at 600 W. Willow St. joins a Harbor City bank that was targeted twice and three other banks hit in 2023.
Last month, authorities put out a call asking for the public’s help in identifying the Gateway Bandit, who typically approaches bank tellers while simulating the appearance of a weapon under his sweatshirt, then demands money, according to the LAPD.
Before this Long Beach incident, he had last been associated with a robbery at a Harbor City Bank of America, though officials did not specify if that was the bank that was struck twice.
Investigators describe the Gateway Bandit as being between 40 and 45 years old and between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10.
He is believed to weigh about 250 pounds and was spotted driving a 2006-07 silver Honda Accord sedan. That vehicle has tinted windows and stolen license plates, police said.
Anyone with information about the bandit is asked to call the LAPD’s Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893. The public can also call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 310-477-6565.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.