A 61-year-old man was arrested in connection with a bank robbery in Los Angeles County earlier this year, followed several months later on charges of second-degree robbery and attempted assault, authorities announced Wednesday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said in a news release that the first incident occurred on June 21 at California Bank & Trust in Acton.
The suspect, now identified as Joseph Bennett, reportedly entered the bank wearing a surgical mask and approached a teller. He demanded a bag of money while pretending to have a firearm.
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“Fearing the suspect was in possession of a firearm, the teller complied with the suspect’s request,” the statement said. “The suspect fled the bank with several stolen U.S. dollars.”
Exactly four months later, on Nov. 21, detectives said the victim was shot outside the Northrup Gruman Credit Union in the 4100 block of Sierra Highway in Palmdale around 9:30 a.m. after finishing an errand inside. , a 61-year-old man approached the woman.
“The suspect was armed with a handgun and demanded her purse,” LASD said. “When the victim refused to hand over her wallet, the suspect physically assaulted her with his fist.”
Fortunately, the woman got into her car and fled the scene without any property being stolen. She was also able to record part of the suspect’s license plate as he fled the area in a white pickup truck and report it to investigators.
This information allowed LASD Major Crimes Bureau detectives to identify Bennett as a possible suspect and take him into custody on November 27th.
“A search of the vehicle and a nearby residence where he was believed to be staying revealed evidence believed to have been used in both robberies,” the release states.
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The 61-year-old, who is being held on $250,000 bail after filing a case with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, was charged with robbery and attempted robbery, both felonies.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the LASD Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7037. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477.
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