The FBI sought public help Thursday to find the so- called “Beachcomber Bandit,” who has robbed banks at gunpoint in Long Beach and in the San Luis Obispo County community of Grover Beach.
“The suspect was given the moniker ‘Beachcomber Bandit’ since both robberies occurred in beach cities,” said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.
On May 13, the suspect robbed U.S. Bank at 555 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach. On June 10, he robbed a Rabobank branch at 899 W. Grand Ave. in Grover Beach, Eimiller said.
“During the robberies, (he) was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun that witnesses described as possibly having a gun light attached under the slide,” Eimiller said.
Authorities circulated bank security photos of the man, described as Asian or Filipino, 35-45 years old, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 150-170 pounds, with dark hair, and a graying goatee and/or mustache.
He wore a black leather jacket over a gray sweatshirt, with the hood pulled up over a plain black baseball cap.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity or whereabouts was urged to call their nearest FBI office or 911.
— Staff and wire reports