'Chaw Bandit' strikes five Valley banks

Authorities are on the lookout for a man in his 50s who wears sunglasses, a checkered hat and has a taste for chewing tobacco and robbing banks.

The "Chaw Bandit," has robbed five banks in the San Fernando Valley in the past three weeks, according to the FBI.

The spree started July 16, when he robbed a Citibank in Reseda. On July 22 he made off with cash at two branches: a Bank of America in Winnetka and a Chase bank in Canoga Park. 

On July 26, he struck the Canoga Park Bank of America. His last known robbery was Monday at a Citibank in Canoga Park

The robber, who earned his moniker by visibly chewing tobacco during a robbery, is described as white, between  50 and  60 years old, 160 and 170 pounds and 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7. He wears a worn white baseball cap with a checkered brim and dresses casually.

Anyone with more information is asked to call authorities at 888-CAN'T HIDE (226-8443).

--Tony Barboza

Photo:  The robber was captured on a security camera during a July 22 robbery at Bank of America in Winnetka. Credit: FBI

Comments

[whocares?]

For a change a person is robbing a bank instead of a bank robbing a person.

[Twitter211Guy]

Interesting the FBI doesn't mention his many robberies in San Diego and Orange County, Always wearing the same 'Lucky' ballcap, seem like that would be a clue to bank managers that cared.
Also couldn't find more info on the 75 YEAR OLD bank robber that hit Citibank on Topanga Cyn. Bl., Northridge 7-2 1000hr or CoAmerica Bank in Burbank at 1430hrs yesterday, maybe it's just negative PR for the banks.

[alan]

go chew dude.