LOS ANGELES, CA — Police on Tuesday, announced the arrest of a 71-year-old serial bank robber suspected of robbing a San Fernando Valley business over the holidays.
Authorities arrested Bruce Edward Bell shortly after the armed robbery of a business in the 8000 block of Vineland Avenue in Sun Valley Dec. 21 with the help of astute eyewitnesses, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“During this incident, Bell entered the location, grabbed an employee and pointed a
firearm. Bell forced the employee to walk over to a restricted-access door. Bell demanded entry
into the secure area and stated he would otherwise shoot the employee,” investigators said in a written release. Once inside, Bell ordered another employee to fill his bag with cash. Bell fled from the location with over $60,000.00.”
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According to police, witnesses at scene saw Bell drive away in a 2002 silver Volvo sedan and called 911. Foothill Division officers arrived and spotted Bell’s vehicle, conducting a high-risk traffic stop. They found a black replica firearm and $64,000.00 in cash, according to police.
Bell was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping. According to investigators, he has four prior bank robbery convictions and has served over 40 years in the Federal Department of Corrections before being released in July 2021. He was on supervised release at the time of his arrest. Investigators believe there are other victims of robbery by Bell who have yet to be identified.
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Anyone who has been a victim or has information about the investigation, is urged to contact
Detectives Mrakich and Delph at (213) 486-6840 or email [email protected].
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To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to [email protected].
Paige Austin patch.com
SOURCE
2024-01-10 07:43:04 , Moorpark Patch