FBI Seeks 'Greenhorn Bandits' in Redlands, San Dimas and Diamond Bar Bank Robberies

The FBI on Friday said they were looking for three men called the "Greenhorn Bandits" in connection with three bank robberies during the past two weeks in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

The Greenhorn Bandit robberies in Redlands, San Dimas and Diamond Bar did not appear related to the Friday morning US Bank robbery on Beaumont Avenue, Laura Eimiller of the FBI said, "but we have not ruled it out."

The group was nicknamed the Greenhorn Bandits because witnesses described them as clumsy and inexperienced, which investigators note could add to the potential for violence, said Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.

The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, investigators said.

Agencies investigating the Greenhorn Bandit robberies include the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Redlands Police Department, and the FBI.

The most recent robbery believed to involve the Greenhorn Bandits occurred Thursday morning at the Community Bank, 200 E. Citrus Ave. in downtown Redlands, according to the FBI.

Two men went into the Community Bank about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, wearing dark gray hooded jackets, Redlands police said. One of the men was armed with a gun.

While one man held the gun on employees and customers, the second man jumped over the counter and took cash from the tellers, Redlands police said. The robbers left the bank through the north door, dropped the bag of money and fled as police arrived.

The other bank robberies believed to involve the Greenhorn Bandits occurred May 23 at the Cal Bank & Trust, 530 W. Bonita Ave. in San Dimas, and May 16 at the Cal Bank & Trust, 1200 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, according to the FBI.

Witnesses have described the Greenhorn Bandits as either black or Hispanic men, age range 25 to 33, between 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall. The suspects can be seen in bank surveillance photographs wearing bandanas and hooded sweatshirts.

"During the three robberies, the bandits were seen using handguns and witnesses described being ordered to get on the ground and put their hands up, while the suspects demanded cash,"an FBI statement said.

A third suspect was seen driving from one of the bank robberies in what was described as a silver or light-colored Dodge Avenger, according to the FBI.

In a separate robbery, the suspects were seen leaving in a silver or light-colored Chevy Colorado truck, according to the FBI.

Anyone with information about the robberies or the suspects was urged to contact the FBI or dial 911. In the greater Los Angeles area, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 226-8443.

Additional information and photographs of bank robbers currently being sought by the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office can be viewed at www.labankrobbers.org.