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Crime & Safety

FBI: 'Boom Boom Bandit' Hits Banks in Mar Vista, West L.A.

Suspect uses demand notes that say, "No drama, no boom boom."

The FBI on Friday sought the public's help in locating a bank robbery suspect dubbed the "Boom Boom Bandit."

The man is wanted for a bank robbery and an attempted bank robbery at a Chase bank branch at 12335 Venice Blvd. in Mar Vista, and a Bank of America branch at 11501 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Los Angeles, both on Tuesday, said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.

The suspect is white and between 35 and 40 years old. He is 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 180 to 220 pounds and has brown hair that may be a wig.

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Authorities said the suspect used a written note demanding cash during the robberies. The note also provided an assortment of instructions for the teller.

"The demand note stated, in part, 'No drama, no boom boom,'" Eimiller said.

Find out what's happening in Venice-Mar Vistawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The contents of the note is believed to suggest that an explosive device would be detonated if the teller did not comply with the demand. In a bank surveillance photo the suspect was seen displaying a device in a bag described by witnesses as red flares wrapped in tape with wires attached, Eimiller said.

"The barrel of a handgun was also seen inside the bag presented to the victim teller," Eimiller said.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect to contact the nearest FBI office or call 911.

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