Police believe a man who robbed a Manhattan Beach bank Friday afternoon may be a wanted robber nicknamed the "Hypnotist Bandit."
The Hypnotist Bandit (below) received his nickname because he allegedly stared at the victim tellers and continued to make eye contact with them during robberies in South El Monte and Temple City in early June, and Pasadena in late May.
In all cases, the man passed a note to demand money.
At approximately 4:35 p.m. Friday, a man entered the Bank of America branch at 1200 Highland Ave. in Manhattan Beach and passed a note to a teller demanding large bills. The note said “this is a robbery” and asked that the teller make it "quick and easy."
The man deemed the Hypnotist Bandit has been described as either white or Hispanic, between 6-feet-2-inches and 6-feet-4-inches, approximately 30 years old, with a thin build, dark eyes and brown hair. He may have a faded red heart tattoo on one of his hands.
Bank surveillance images of the suspect have been released by police. Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest FBI office or dial 911.
