Ryan Carter
BURBANK -- With the release of new surveillance photos, Burbank police
and FBI agents hope they have a chance to net the "Tennis Elbow Bandit."
On Thursday, FBI agents released the photos of the suspected bank
robber -- known for wearing a bandage around his elbow -- who allegedly
held up 23 banks in the San Fernando Valley between July 2000 and October
of this year.
"The hope is that somebody will recognize the person in these photos
as a neighbor, an acquaintance or an employee, and help put an end to
this," said Sgt. Bill Taylor of the Burbank Police Department, which
along with the FBI is investigating the string of robberies.
Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to
the man's arrest, FBI spokeswoman Laura Bosley said.
The alleged bandit is described as a white male, 30 to 40, about 5
feet 8 with a stocky build and a tattoo on his right forearm.
Ten of the robberies have been in the Burbank and Glendale areas:
* July 21, 2000: Bank of America, 3812 San Fernando Road, Glendale.
* Aug. 4, 2000: Bank of America, 245 Brand Blvd., Glendale. * Sept.
8, 2000: Bank of America, 3400 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
* Feb. 23, 2001: Bank of America, 3141 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta.
* March 30, 2001: Bank of America, 3400 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
* April 16, 2001: Bank of America, 3812 San Fernando Road, Glendale.
* May 23, 2001: Bank of America, 4123 W. Olive Ave., Toluca Lake.
* Aug. 24, 2001: Community Bank, 2800 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank.
* Aug. 31, 2001: Union Bank, 3900 Alamada Ave., Burbank.
* Sept. 27, Washington Mutual, 3521 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
The man allegedly walks into a bank, approaches a teller and presents
a threatening demand note for money while claiming to be armed, said
Laura Bosley, an FBI spokeswoman. He then flees on foot, she said. The
man also wears a baseball cap with sunglasses sometimes propped up on his
hairline, Bosley said.
Anyone with information are asked to call the EBI at (310) 477-6565 or
the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3292.
