Authorities have arrested a suspected bank robber connected to at least two incidents in Los Angeles County since June.
Deputies were dispatched to the California Bank and Trust in Acton on June 21 after learning of a reported bank robbery, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Upon arrival, they learned that a man wearing a surgical mask approached a teller and “simulated that he had a firearm” before demanding that they fill a bag with money.
“Fearing the suspect was armed with a firearm, the teller complied with the suspects demands,” the statement said. He allegedlly made off with several hundred dollars.
Months later, on Nov. 21 at around 9:30 a.m., deputies were sent to Northrup Gruman Credit Union, located in the 4100 block of Sierra Highway in Palmdale, LASD said.
They say that a male suspect confronted an female victim as she left the bank and was on her way back to her car.
“The suspect armed with a handgun, demanded her purse,” LASD’s statement said. “When the victim refused to hand over her purse, the suspect physically assaulted her with his fists.”
The woman was able to get into her car and flee the area, but before doing so managed to obtain a partial license plate of the suspect’s white pickup truck as he fled the scene. He was unable to take anything from the woman, deputies noted.
Investigators were able to identify the suspect as 61-year-old Joseph Bennett, the statement said.
He was located in Palmdale on Wednesday, Nov. 27 as he was driving the truck used in the attempted robbery days earlier. Deputies pulled him over and he was arrested.
“A search of the vehicle and a near-by residence he was believed to be staying at, revealed evidence believed to be used during both robberies,” LASD said.
Bennett now faces felony charges of robbery and attempted robbery after the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the FBI.
He remains jailed on $250,000 bail.
Anyone who may know more is urged to contact detectives at (562) 946-7037.