“Make It Quick” Bandit Strikes For 12th Time

The robber has been caught on surveillance camera, in many cases smiling at the teller as he urges them to quickly hand over cash

After four months without a heist, the so-called Make It Quick bandit has struck again – this time hitting up a U.S. Bank branch in San Pedro that he has robbed three times before, according to local and federal authorities.

The Sept. 20 afternoon robbery marks the criminal’s 12th bank robbery in the South Bay since 2009, Gardena police announced Tuesday.

Targeted was the U.S. Bank at 1221 S. Gaffey Street in San Pedro, FBI said. The "Make It Quick" bandit robbed that same bank on May 25 -- his last stick up before a four-month lull.

He has been dubbed the “Make It Quick” bandit because he urges bank employees to quickly hand over cash, sometimes indicating that there are customers waiting.

All the heists have happened at U.S. Bank branches inside grocery stores, where the robber usually spends time wandering through the aisles before approaching the bank kiosk.

The subject, who has been captured on surveillance video, has dark hair, possibly thinning on top, and a goatee, according to the FBI. Surveillance images show the man wearing sunglasses.

Bank Heist Locations:

  • Jan. 4, 2009: U.S. Bank at 1221 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro
  • June 25, 2011: U.S. Bank at 1221 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro
  • Sept. 21, 2011: U.S. Bank at 500 E. Manchester Ave., Inglewood
  • Oct. 26, 2011: U.S. Bank at 200 E. Sepulveda Blvd., Carson
  • Nov. 13, 2011: U.S. Bank at 500 E. Manchester Ave., Inglewood
  • Dec. 21, 2011: U.S. Bank at 1260 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena
  • June 30, 2012: U.S. Bank at 1260 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena
  • July 14, 2012: U.S. Bank at 1770 W. Carson Blvd., Torrance
  • Aug. 24, 2012: U.S. Bank at 1260 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena
  • May 17, 2013: U.S. Bank at 1260 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena
  • May 25, 2013: U.S. Bank at 1221 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro
  • Sept. 20, 2013: U.S. Bank at 1221 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro

During the May 17 robbery in Gardena, the robber handed the teller a note demanding cash, then apologized after taking the money, investigators said.

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A $10,000 reward was posted in June for information leading the robber’s arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is asked to call FBI Special Agent Rosario Escajeda or Special Agent C. Nicole Black at 310-477-6565.

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