The San Diego Police Department and the FBI released suspect information on Monday for two separate bank robberies that both happened at about 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Imperial Beach and Poway.
The “Neatly Groomed Bandit,” as referred to by the FBI and SDPD, waited in line at the North Island Credit Union on 10549 Scripps Poway Parkway, until he was summoned by the bank teller. In a whisper, he told the teller that nobody would get hurt as long as they followed his demands. He then presented a manila envelope which demanded a specific sum of money.
After the teller complied with his demands, the robber fled the bank, escaping in a silver mid-sized sedan.
According to the FBI and SDPD, the man was described as white, weighing about 180 lbs, with a slender to medium build. He stood at 6 feet tall, give or take a few inches.
His face was framed in dark brunette hair and a neatly trimmed beard, that is likely responsible for the FBI and SDPD’s chosen nickname. Witnesses said he wore a dark coat, maroon scarf, dress shoes and a black baseball cap.
The FBI also circulated surveillance photos on Monday of a woman suspected of robbing a Chase bank branch in Imperial Beach after passing a teller a note threatening to shoot bank employees and customers if her demands were not met.
At about the same time that the man entered North Island Credit Union, the woman nonchalantly entered the bank at 1100 Palm Ave., waited in line for a teller and then presented the demand note for cash, FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth said.
The note said the woman was armed with a gun and threatened to harm employees and customers, according to Foxworth. The robber was handed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the bank on foot. No one was injured during the robbery.
She was described as Hispanic, between 35 and 45 years old, about 165 pounds and 5-foot-3. She was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans and sunglasses.
So far, there is no evidence to suggest a clear correlation between the separate bank robberies.
Authorities asked anyone with information about either robbery to call the FBI at (858) 320-1800, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 540-8477.
City News Service contributed to this article.
