FBI Search Underway For 'Luger Bandit'

A bank robber dubbed the "Luger Bandit" for his choice of firearm is suspected in a half-dozen holdups throughout Southern California, the most recent one in Corona, authorities said today.

Two banks robbed by the suspect have combined rewards totaling $15,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction, according to the FBI.

The agency said the bandit has been identified in holdups going back a year, starting with a robbery at a Wells Fargo branch in Granada Hills on Jan. 3, 2013.

The other four robberies and attempted robbery occurred:

-- Feb. 18 at a Wells Fargo branch in Fontana;

-- March 8 at a Wells Fargo branch in San Dimas;

-- March 12 at a Chase bank branch in Jurupa Valley;

-- June 4 at a Bank of America branch in Corona; and

-- last Wednesday at a Wells Fargo branch in Corona.

"During each robbery, the suspect orders employees and customers to the ground, brandishes a weapon and demands cash in various denominations," said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

The bandit's pistol is a silver-colored semi-automatic that resembles a German World War II-era Luger, according to Eimiller.

The suspect is often dressed in hoodie sweatshirts and wears a face mask, sunglasses and black gloves to shield his identity. He is white or Hispanic, about 5-foot-8 to 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds.

Witnesses have described his getaway car as a charcoal gray BMW 3-Series sedan with custom features.

Anyone with information about the bandit's whereabouts or identity is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or the FBI, via its 24-hour tip line, (888) 226-8443. --City News Service