Current:Home > Scams71-year-old serial bank robber who spent 40 years in prison strikes again in LA police say-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
71-year-old serial bank robber who spent 40 years in prison strikes again in LA police say
View Date:2024-12-23 23:14:17
Police in Southern California on Tuesday announced they arrested a 71-year-old convicted serial bank robber after they say he allegedly struck again - this time stealing $64,000 in cash from bank in Los Angeles.
Bruce Edward Bell is facing felony charges including kidnapping in connection to the armed robbery late last month in the Sun Valley, a neighborhood in the northern San Fernando Valley region .
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the heist took place on Dec. 21, 2023, and during the robbery, "Bell entered the location, grabbed an employee and pointed a firearm."
Police said Bell forced the employee to walk over to a door with restricted access, demanded entry into the secure area and said if he was not granted access, he would shoot the employee.
The employee complied, and once inside, Bell ordered another employee to fill a bag with cash.
The armed suspect then fled the bank with more than $64,000 in cash, police reported.
A photo released by police shows the suspect pointing a firearm wearing sunglasses, a black ski mask, a black hat and a gray scarf over a black jacket with orange stripe.
Congresswoman's ex arrested in Colorado:Lauren Boebert's ex-husband arrested on assault, mischief charges, online records show
A getaway car and a traffic stop
Witnesses called 911 and told officers they watched the suspect drive away in a 2002 silver Volvo sedan.
Shortly after officers spotted the suspect vehicle, conducted traffic stop and detained the driver.
During a search of the vehicle, police learned the Volvo was stolen and also recovered a black replica firearm and $64,000 in cash inside the car.
Police arrested Bell on charges including kidnapping and booked into the LA County jail where online records show he was being held without on $1.6 million bond Wednesday.
It was not immediately known if Bell had obtained an attorney.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Office records show he is due in court on the kidnapping charge on Feb. 9.
More than 40 years in prison
According to a Tuesday news release from LAPD, Bell has four prior bank robbery convictions and has spent more than four decades in the Federal Department of Corrections for the crimes, He was released from prison in July 2021.
Bell was on supervised release at the time of his arrest, police said.
According to the release, investigators said they believe Bell has other robbery victims who have not yet been identified.
Police seek more information about Bruce Bell
Anyone with information about Edward or the most recent bank robbery is being asked to contact LAPD.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (17734)
Related
- Traveling to Las Vegas? Here Are the Best Black Friday Hotel Deals
- A Clean Energy Milestone: Renewables Pulled Ahead of Coal in 2020
- New Federal Report Warns of Accelerating Impacts From Sea Level Rise
- Jecca Blac’s Vegan, Gender-Free Makeup Line Is Perfect for Showing Your Pride
- Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
- Will the FDIC's move to cover uninsured deposits set a risky precedent?
- SAG actors are striking but there are still projects they can work on. Here are the rules of the strike.
- Margot Robbie's Barbie-Inspired Look Will Make You Do a Double Take
- Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
- Death of migrant girl was a preventable tragedy that raises profound concerns about U.S. border process, monitor says
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
- Inside the emerald mines that make Colombia a global giant of the green gem
- Startups 'on pins and needles' until their funds clear from Silicon Valley Bank
- Facebook parent Meta slashes 10,000 jobs in its 'Year of Efficiency'
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- Press 1 for more anger: Americans are fed up with customer service
- Apple iPad Flash Deal: Save 30% on a Product Bundle With Accessories
- The U.S. takes emergency measures to protect all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank
Recommendation
-
TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
-
The Fed already had a tough inflation fight. Now, it must deal with banks collapsing
-
Death of intellectually disabled inmate at Virginia prison drawing FBI scrutiny, document shows
-
Despite One Big Dissent, Minnesota Utilities Approve of Coal Plant Sale. But Obstacles Remain
-
'Bizarre:' Naked man arrested after found in crawl space of California woman's home
-
Margot Robbie's Barbie-Inspired Look Will Make You Do a Double Take
-
To Stop Line 3 Across Minnesota, an Indigenous Tribe Is Asserting the Legal Rights of Wild Rice
-
Santa Barbara’s paper, one of California’s oldest, stops publishing after owner declares bankruptcy